Description
Acoustic repellent designed to prevent depredation and damage to lines and nets by cetaceans. In addition to being cheap, durable, effective and easy to use, we have taken into account the needs of fishermen and integrated simple but effective technologies that make the anti-dolphin depredation pinger a market leader
Problems
Damage or removal of caught fish from fishing gear (depredation) can result in loss of catch or reduction in economic value and often damages fishing gear. Dolphin depredation appears to be increasing in frequency, geographic extent and severity and is responsible for substantial economic losses. For this reason, the fishing industry is in urgent need of mitigation measures that can reduce the frequency and severity of these interactions (Cruz et al 2014).
The solution
In some fisheries, the use of warning devices (deterrent pingers) has succeeded in reducing dolphin depredation. However, in many cases the acoustic signals from such devices (<150 dB) are of low power and after a while the dolphin acclimates to the low intensity noise and depredation begins again. In some cases, when deterrent pingers have been used to prevent depredation, the depredation observed upon their return is much higher than that observed before the use of the deterrent pingers. The anti-depredation pinger is louder than standard deterrent pinger, producing a random unpredictable sound that startles dolphins when they are near the net. A spacing of 100 m is recommended for maximum effect; this can vary depending on fishing gear, region and dolphin species.