In the research project ‘De Juiste Sortering’ (The Accurate Selection), machine builder De Boer RVS, the Belgian Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO) and shrimp fishing vessels WR 9 and WR 289 are working together in a study into an innovative processing line on board of shrimp fishing vessels.
Explanation processing line
In the processing line that is currently under investigation, the detection track sorts the catch into market sized shrimp, undersized shrimp and other by-catch based on camera images and automatic image recognition. Shrimp smaller than 6.8 mm and bycatch are returned to the sea as soon as possible. Market sized shrimp are further divided into three market classes and stored separately on board.
Research
The research project consists of several parts:
- Exchange of developed knowledge with relevant national and international stakeholders.
- The best settings are sought so that the camera detection track makes the right separation between market sized and undersized shrimp.
- Sorting accuracy of the innovative processing system in comparison with the sorting accuracy in the traditional processing line (sorting drum and sieve on a sieving station).
- Survival of bycatch is when using the innovative processing line in comparison with the survival of bycatch in the traditional processing line.
- Automatic recognition of bycatch species.
Possible advantages processing line
The expectations of the innovative processing line include a more accurate sorting of the catch, a higher bycatch survival, improved working conditions for fishermen and the possibility of more and cheaper data collection for fisheries research.
Information links (in Dutch):
- Uitbreiding onderzoek detectiesorteersysteem garnalen (6 mei 2021)
- VIDEO | Onderzoek naar innovatieve garnalenverwerkingslijn op de WR 9 (7 januari 2021) – Video in Dutch and English
