SCANMAR of Norway has launched its ScanControl system 25 years after it introduced the concept of catch controls to the world's trawling industry.

More than 4500 vessels around the world have been equipped with Scanmar systems over this period and they have benefited from more than $30 million being spent by Scanmar on research and development.

The company has been working with fishermen around the world to develop its systems.

Now, as Scanmar launches its ScanControl Systems, it is coining the new term Catch Systems to underline that this is a new concept.

"While the old systems were pure net monitoring systems, new-generation ScanControl adds a new dimension to fishing, " the company claims.

"ScanControl will, in addition to being a far more advanced system than any of the other old type net monitoring systems, provide decision making based on historic data, automatic control of winches, propeller pitch, rudder, trawl doors, etc. ."

Scanmar launched its ScanBas, ScanMate and ScanCheck bridge units four years ago. This was followed by the multi-display system ScanScreen as the first elements of the ScanControl systems.

The new systems are a development of ScanLink, which Scanmar claims is "the most reliable hydro acoustic telemetry link ever developed, working on big depth and long distances under severe noise conditions."

Now, Scanmar is launching as part of ScanControl the first units of the new ScanSensor multifunctional sensor generation. This is based on new battery technology giving long intervals between charging and has been developed to cope with rougher sensor handling.

The new ScanCharger battery charger with ScanControl enables sensors to be programmed in various ways, depending on the skipper's needs and fishing conditions.

"This may give lifetimes between charging that are 20 to 40 times greater than before under favourable conditions, " claims Scanmar.

"ScanControl Systems will be continuously expanded by upgrades of the bridge systems, new sensors and new functionality. Older Scanmar sensors are fully compatible with the ScanControl systems, " Scanmar tells FNI.

However, there will be added functionality that will work only with the new-generation ScanSensor system.

"Decision-making solutions are being developed where logging of groups of sensors will form a base for quick decisions, " says Scanmar. "Therefore, the update rates of the sensors have to correspond.

"Automatic control for adjusting warp lengths, towing speed, trawl door angles, etc. , also need corresponding update rates from the sensors."

The new sensors SCANMAR'S first sensors in its new SS4 generation comprise:

ScanCatch (pictured): catch and filling sensor.

Sensors are delivered in two versions - traditional catch sensor and combined with angle sensors indicating filling prior to the catch indicator being activated. This latter function will be important when using square mesh codends. Also, in traditional trawling and shrimp trawling, this feature gives immediate warning if the codend starts to roll over, or is twisted or damaged.

ScanDepth: a sensor which, in addition to the depth of the trawl, can display the roll and pitch angles of the trawl to show if it is skewed.

ScanTemp: temperature sensor with the same additional functionality to show net malfunctioning.

ScanDoorangle: a sensor showing roll and pitch angles of trawl doors. Various versions are available, such as in combination with a depth function - both in pelagic and semi pelagic - and bottom trawling on uneven bottom. This combination gives control of the trawl doors. Having the correct door angles relative to depth, warp lengths and towing speed is essential to control fuel consumption, combined with optimal functionality under different conditions.

ScanBottom: sensor showing if bottom gear has seabed contact and how hard the gear is on the bottom. Adjustment of the rigging to reduce bottom contact cuts drag and fuel consumption.

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