Smartrawl: In-water improvements in selectivity

FIS011/FIS024/FIS034/FIS040/FIS045

This project explores the next steps in intelligent fishing, developing and testing at sea novel technologies to allow in-water identification and grading of fish by species and size.

PROJECT PHASE 5 COMPLETE – READ THE REPORT

PROJECT PHASE 4 COMPLETE – READ THE REPORT

PROJECT PHASE 3 COMPLETE – READ THE REPORT

PROJECT PHASE 2.5 COMPLETE – READ THE REPORT

PROJECT PHASE 2 COMPLETE – READ THE REPORT

PROJECT PHASE 1 COMPLETE – READ THE REPORT

PROJECT TIMELINE

PHASE 1

FIS011 introduced the Smartrawl concept of an innovative trawl design with a stereo camera to identify and size fish in the trawl extension, and a gate to release unwanted catch. The report was completed in 2017 and is available on the FIS website.

PHASE 2

FIS024 developed the stereo camera system and gate prototype and began collecting stereoscopic images to understand how fish appear in the trawl. This phase ran from June 2018 to Spring 2020.

PHASE 2.5

FIS received Scottish Government grant funding to progress specific components of Smartrawl by acquiring, adapting and testing a second stereo camera and the underwater modem to transfer data from the camera to the bridge of a trawler.

PHASE 3

FIS034 optimised the unique gate mechanism and began underwater image analysis.

PHASE 4

Phase four of the Smartrawl project (FIS040), funded by the Scottish Government’s Marine Fund Scotland, brought the component pieces of the system together in extensive field testing.

PHASE 5

The latest phase of the Smartrawl project (FIS045), funded by the UK Seafood Innovation Fund (SIF), has tested the patented gate system at sea and enhanced Smartrawl’s AI database.