Acoustic sensor ECHO

for commercial fishing boatstrawl and seinetrawl control

The main question for any shell fish trawler: where am I catching shell fish on my tow. There is finally an answer with the Notus Echo. This real time monitoring system detects the sound of shell fish hitting the sorting grate or pickup device in the trawl. This information is transmitted to the vessel in real time. Systems are being supplied in a stand-alone format or with optional trawl sensors. Conventional sounders cannot detect shell fish as they have no swim bladder like fish. The Echo consists of a sensor and mic. The mic listens for the sound of shell fish hitting the grate or pickup. Sound increases and decreases with the amount of shell fish. The sensor then transmits this information back to the vessel. A hydrophone is towed alongside or mounted in the hull. This is connected to a command unit in the wheel house that displays information on a computer. Echo also monitors grate angle and temperature. The results have been astounding for increasing catch. A captain can detect exactly where he is catching shell fish on a 3-4 hour tow. He can turn around and hit the same “hot spot” again. Some feedback from Captains include: “It’s awesome! Worked right out of the box. I can see if I’m catching 500 lbs/hr or 2000 lbs/hr.” Captain Jimmy Burns, FV Galway Bay “Seeing where I am catching shell fish changed our fishing operation. We would not want to fish without it.” Captain Ben Downs, FV Pacific Dove