Innovative processing line

The innovative processing line was developed by De Boer RVS in collaboration with RayTec and optimized during the course of the project on board the WR9 and the WR289. The system separates commercial shrimp from bycatch using pre-sorting (singulator), camera images and automatic image recognition. The innovative system aims to improve the sorting of commercial shrimp into different size classes, increase the survival of bycatch and improve working conditions for fishermen.

Successful sorting

Based on the practical tests carried out, ILVO researchers conclude that the innovative processing line can successfully separate commercial shrimp from the rest of the catch. The processing line can also correctly divide the commercial shrimp into 3 commercial size classes using a vibrating sieve. In addition, after cooking the catch, manual work is no longer required to remove other by-catch, shells and peat, for example. Furthermore, the total amount of shrimp landed with the innovative processing line is equal to the amount of shrimp landed with the traditional processing line.

The innovative processing line cooks less undersized shrimp and other bycatch than the traditional processing line. However, the undersized shrimp were largely discarded during pre-sorting, prior to the optical sorter. This pre-sorting step, in which the catch is singled out, has proven to be important to prevent overloading the optical sorter and to maintain a sharp sorting.

Survival hopeful

During one research trip, ILVO researchers monitored the short-term survival (72 hours after catch) of shrimp and by-caught fish. The survival of by-caught fish was the same for the innovative and traditional processing lines. However, undersized shrimp survived slightly better after sorting with the innovative processing line and more undersized shrimp were also thrown overboard uncooked with this processing line. The researchers do indicate in their report that just one research trip is insufficient to determine the effect of the innovative processing line on survival during the year. For example, by increasing the capacity of the optical sorter, pre-sorting can be limited/eliminated and thus survival can be further increased. The researchers also point to further research into the shrimp pulse trawl.

>> The final scientific report can be downloaded HERE (in Dutch).

VIDEO – Research on processing line (shrimp fisheries): The accurate selection

Information links (in Dutch):

• Eindrapport over project ‘De Juiste Sortering’ opgeleverd (21 december 2023)
• Uitbreiding onderzoek detectiesorteersysteem garnalen (6 mei 2021)
• VIDEO | Onderzoek naar innovatieve garnalenverwerkingslijn op de WR 9 (7 januari 2021) – Video in Dutch and English

Financing

The research project ‘The Accurate Sorting’ was funded by the European Union, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

Innovation project selective shrimp fishery Wadden Sea

Within the Innovation project selective shrimp fishery Wadden Sea, existing prototypes to improve selectivity and to fish more easily in the fishery for Dutch shrimps (Crangon crangon) were being further developed. This was done in collaboration between fishermen, net makers and scientists from the research institute Wageningen Marine Research (WMR).

Innovation in shrimp fishing

Those with the best ideas for gear modifications to improve selectivity or reduce fuel consumption are often the fishermen themselves. Whether the designs devised by them also work under the rough conditions at sea is the question, however. Field tests are needed to see how the gear adjustments behave under the influence of, for example, the water flow and the resistance of the seabed. Scientists thereby collect data in order to be able to determine with an objective view whether the modified gear produces the desired results.

This form of innovation is expensive: ships that are used can catch less than usual during the tests and the scientists have to be paid. If a promising prototype is available after an initial test period, it will be further developed to ensure that earnings are made that keep the fishing company profitable. The Innovation project selective shrimp fishery Wadden Sea is about the last part of the innovation process: preparing promising prototypes for use.

The following prototypes were tested in the project:

Alternative bobbin rope
Flexible panel
Wing bobbins and flexible panel
Sieve mat
Sorting grid for small shrimps
Flatfish sorting grid
Horizontal sorting grid

VIDEO – Innovations for shrimp fishing – WMR

Below is a brief description and main conclusions of three prototypes that provide sufficient starting points for further development. For more information, results and conclusions about all prototypes, see the scientific final report of WMR.

>> The final scientific report can be found on the website of WMR

Alternative bobbin rope

In a conventional bobbin rope, the bobbins hang in an arc under the beam of the fishing gear. Due to this shape, the bobbins cannot easily roll along on the seabed, resulting in the bobbins ‘digging’ when they are dragged over the seabed while fishing. With the alternative bobbin rope, all bobbins are positioned in the fishing direction.

Conclusions:

• 1-10% fewer marketable shrimps caught, depending on rigging and attachment of the bobbin rope;
• No difference in bycatch at species level;
• No difference in resistance between alternative bobbin rope and the conventional shrimp trawl;
• Less wear on the rubber bobbins, but more wear on the metal frame around the bobbins;
• Ground penetration and lower tractive power (fuel consumption) need to be further quantified.

Sieve mat

The shrimp fishery uses a sieve net to allow some of the unwanted bycatch to escape from the net. However, the seave net can quickly become clogged with jellyfish, bryozoans and/or seaweed. This can lead to a significant reduction in the catch of marketable shrimp. Cleaning the sieve net takes a lot of time (15-45 minutes), during which no fishing is possible. The sieve mat is an alternative to the sieve net that is selective, easy to use, controllable and quick to clean.

Conclusions:

• Less catch of marketable shrimp in conditions with and without seaweed;
• Better fishing opportunities due to fast cleaning time (3 minutes) in conditions with a lot of weed;
• Bycatch of herring and shore crab in conditions without weed significantly lower, bycatch of gobies higher.

Horizontal sorting grid

The horizontal sorting grid is a V-shaped sorting grid that is positioned in a metal frame in front of the cod end. Small bycatch escapes from the net between the bars of the sorting grid. The bar spacing (6mm) ensures that no marketable shrimp can escape.

Conclusions:

• 20.7% less bycatch (mainly jellyfish, crabs and small non-marketable shrimp);
• No significant loss of catch of marketable shrimp;

Future

The Nederlandse Vissersbond will work with WMR to explore how gear innovations in shrimp fishing can be followed up that provide sufficient starting points for further development and ultimately implementation in shrimp fishing. New ideas for gear innovation will also be included, both from the Netherlands and abroad.

Sustainability objectives

The sustainability objectives, such as improving the selectivity of the gears and fishing lighter, are laid down in the VIBEG agreement with nature organizations and the government. The sector has also been awarded the MSC certificate for sustainable fisheries, partly for these objectives. This project also anticipates the landing obligation regulation, which aims to allow European fishermen to innovate to fish more selectively.

Waddenfonds

The Waddenfonds allocated 60% funding for this project. The project started in the autumn of 2018 and has run for five years. The Nederlandse Vissersbond was the secretary of this innovation project on behalf of the entire shrimp sector. Together with the fisheries organizations VisNed and PO Rousant, the Nederlandse Vissersbond carried out the organizational activities to make the innovation possible.

Information links (in Dutch)

• Innovatieproject selectieve garnalenvisserij Waddenzee afgerond (30 november 2023)
• Garnalensorteerrooster (grid) getest op de Noordzee (20 mei 2021)
• Proef “zeefmat” ZK 1 (17 september 2020)
• Aangepaste klossenpees getest op garnalenkotter WR-57 (23 april 2020)

The biannual platform days focused on international knowledge exchange on themes such as fishing capacity, vulnerable areas and data collection, discards, network innovation and evaluation of management measures. Parties from the German, Danish, Belgian and Dutch fishing industry, NGOs, government agencies and scientific institutes are present at these days. The project was organized by the Nederlandse Vissersbond and Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) and has been financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

Information links (in Dutch)

• IRC Shrimp blikt terug tijdens eindsymposium (17 mei 2023)
• Innovaties en bijvangstsampling onderwerp van gesprek tijdens laatste IRC Shrimp meeting (22 december 2022)
• Internationale vergadering uitzondering aanlandplicht garnalenvisserij (25 mei 2022)
• IRC Shrimp buigt zich over internationaal beheer garnalenvisserij (21 oktober 2021)
• Interessante IRC Shrimp bijeenkomsten over innovaties garnalenvisserij (18 februari 2021)
• Dagtrips discardonderzoek garnalenvisserij (22 oktober 2020)
• IRC Shrimp-bijeenkomst over innovatie (7 mei 2020)
• Eerste IRC Shrimp bijeenkomst in Lauwersoog (4 juli 2019)

Financing

The project ‘IRC Shrimp’ was funded by the European Union, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).