Benefits with BTS-3
The BTS-3 technology from Sonus Fishery offers numerous benefits for the fishing industry, the environment, and climate, while supporting important international objectives:
- Fishing Industry: BTS-3 improves the efficiency of bottom trawling by reducing damage to the seabed and minimizing bycatch. This results in less waste and a more selective catch, increasing the value of the catch and reducing costs for fishermen.
- Environmental Benefits: By reducing the harmful effects of heavy gear on the seabed, BTS-3 protects sensitive ecosystems. This promotes the restoration of marine habitats and contributes to healthier ocean biodiversity.
- Climate Benefits: BTS-3 helps reduce CO₂ emissions from the fishing industry by making fishing methods more efficient, requiring less fuel and resources per catch.
- EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030: BTS-3 supports the EU's goal of protecting at least 30% of Europe's seas by 2030 by minimizing environmental damage in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
- UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: BTS-3 aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources, including protecting marine ecosystems and restoring damaged marine environments.
Technical Description of BTS-3
Sonus Fishery’s BTS-3 technology is an advanced solution that leverages the physiological and behavioural responses of fish to low-frequency sound. By combining sound stimuli with a new approach to bottom trawling, it significantly reduces damage to the seabed and bycatch. BTS-3 works by emitting specific low-frequency sounds that cause fish and shellfish to flee upwards and directly into the trawl’s opening – without the trawl or trawl doors making contact with the seabed.
Fish physiological response to sound
Fish are highly sensitive to low-frequency sounds, which they perceive through their lateral line and inner ear. These sensory systems detect vibrations and pressure changes in the water, allowing fish to quickly detect potential threats. Low-frequency sounds (10-200 Hz) often resemble the vibrations created by predators or other dangers.When fish perceive these sounds, they instinctively flee upwards to safety. BTS-3 exploits this natural behaviour by emitting carefully selected frequencies that specifically target the fish's sensory system, prompting them to move towards the trawl's opening, where they can be captured without harming the seabed.
No seabed contact
One of the key features of BTS-3 is that the trawl and trawl doors do not make contact with the seabed. Instead, the catch is guided solely through sound stimuli. This prevents the damage to the seabed typically associated with traditional bottom trawling. Instead of dragging heavy gear across the seabed, BTS-3 creates a sound field that drives fish upwards, where they can easily be captured in the trawl without disturbing the ecosystem.
Species react differently
Different species of fish respond differently to sound, depending on their behavior and sensory systems. Some species, like cod and plaice, have strong reactions to low-frequency sounds, fleeing upwards immediately. Other species, such as lobsters and Norway lobsters (langoustines), also react to these sound waves, though their responses may be slower or more deliberate.
BTS-3 is designed to account for these differences by adjusting the emitted frequencies to maximize the response from various species. This flexibility allows the technology to be used in a wide range of fisheries, where catch methods need to be adapted to the specific species being targeted.
Benefits of sound stimuli
Sound stimuli offer a non-invasive method that minimizes environmental impact since the trawl does not need to contact the seabed. It also reduces bycatch, as fish flight responses can be more precisely controlled, making fishing more selective. At the same time, the technology maintains high efficiency, as the fish themselves swim toward the trawl, requiring less energy and fuel.
Sonus Vanes Trawl Spreading Device
Sonus Vanes - Wireless-Controlled Trawl Spreading Device with Vortex Diverters
Product Description: Sonus Vanes is an innovative trawl spreading device designed to improve fishing efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of bottom trawling. Conventional trawl doors drag across the seabed, damaging marine habitats and releasing sediments and CO₂. The Sonus Vanes system eliminates the need for seabed contact by using wireless-controlled vanes, which adjust in real-time to optimize trawl performance.
Vanes with Vortex Diverters: Sonus Vanes utilize vanes mounted close to the trawl (30-50 meters away). The vanes use vortex diverters that control water flow around the vanes, increasing lift and reducing drag. These vortex diverters are wirelessly adjustable, increasing trawl spread by up to 25% and reducing drag by approximately 10%.
Wireless Control System: The vortex diverters are controlled wirelessly from the ship’s control room via a central control unit (CCU). This allows fishermen to make real-time adjustments to the vanes, ensuring optimal performance under varying conditions.
Benefits of Sonus Vanes:
- No Seabed Contact: The vanes avoid seabed contact, protecting marine habitats and reducing CO₂ emissions.
- Fuel Efficiency: The optimized lift-to-drag ratio (CL/CD) reduces fuel consumption by 25%.
- Eco-Friendly: By preventing sediment disruption and minimizing energy use, the system contributes to more sustainable fishing practices.