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 WR9 and WR289 worked together in a study into an innovative processing line on board of shrimp fishing vessels.
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).
