Ropeless Fisher is a fishing technology from Desert Star Systems that eliminates traditional surface buoys and ropes from the water column and stows them safely on the seafloor with the pot traps. It uses acoustic sonar to transmit a signal to the fishing vessel when it's ready to haul the gear. This signal triggers an acoustic release mechanism, which brings the rope and the traps to the surface.
The Ropeless Fisher system is comprised of three components: an acoustic release mechanism, a deck box for acoustic sonar, and bottom stowed rope and hard float buoys. The system was developed in 2012 and has been used in over 12,000 trap hauls with positive results. It operates at depths up to 300m and comes with a range of features including a virtual/acoustic gear marking package, custom release bag options/kits, and a ranging acoustic release with a lifetime use of 15-20 years.
Not only does the Ropeless Fisher technology reduce the possibility of wildlife entanglement, it also decreases the annual gear loss rate and protects against spawning and vandalism. Two options are available: Ropeless Fisher - Offshore and Ropeless Fisher - Coastal.
Bottom-Stowed Ropeless Fishers
Desert Star Systems' 'Ropless Fisher' Comes in Two Configurations
Trend Themes
1. Ropeless Fishing - Desert Star Systems' Ropeless Fisher technology, with its bottom-stowed rope and acoustic sonar, reduces the possibility of wildlife entanglement and decreases the annual gear loss rate.
2. Acoustic Release Mechanism - The acoustic release mechanism component of the Ropeless Fisher system offers disruptive innovation opportunities for other marine industries, such as oceanography and oil & gas exploration.
3. Virtual/acoustic Gear Marking Package - The virtual/acoustic gear marking package feature of the Ropeless Fisher technology presents opportunities for digitizing and optimizing other processes in the fishing industry, such as supply chain management and tracking catch data.
Industry Implications
1. Fishing - The Ropeless Fisher technology disrupts and improves the traditional fishing industry, specifically with its bottom-stowed rope and hard float buoys that eliminate surface buoys and ropes from the water column.
2. Oceanography - The acoustic release mechanism component of the Ropeless Fisher system presents disruptive innovation opportunities for oceanography research and exploration, such as developing new methods for collecting and studying marine life data.
3. Oil & Gas Exploration - The acoustic release mechanism component of the Ropeless Fisher system also offers opportunities for other marine industries, such as oil & gas exploration, by providing a potential solution for remotely controlling and releasing underwater equipment.