Crystal Sea sea trials
For decades, the commercial fishing industry has had to rely on intuition, experience, and what ultimately ends up in the codend. But modern technology is finally pulling back the curtain, and the results are a genuine eye-opener for anyone keen on sustainable and effective fishing.
Recently, skipper David Stevens and the crew aboard the Newlyn-based twin-rig trawler Crystal Sea decided to find out exactly what happens underwater. Working with the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation and CatchCam Technologies, they attached environmental sensors and underwater cameras to their gear to monitor operations in near real-time.
The Underwater Reality
The footage gathered during the trials was a game-changer. It turns out that roughly three out of every four fish interacting with the gear never actually make it to the codend. Escape is a continuous process throughout the net, not just at the very end.
The trial revealed several key insights for sustainable gear development:
Fish stay low:
Most fish entered the net quite close to the seabed. Interestingly, pelagic species like mackerel and scad were an exception, seeming rather attracted to the camera lights.
The Square Mesh Panel (SMP) does its job:
Large volumes of small, juvenile fish successfully escaped along the panel's length, whilst very few marketable fish—whether that is haddock, pollack, or sole—were lost. This provided brilliant visual validation for gear selectivity.
Small tweaks matter:
Even minor adjustments, like altering tickler chains, had an immediate and visible effect on sediment plumes and fish movement.
The Data Gathering Space Age
What does this mean for the future of the industry? As David Stevens noted, commercial fishing is entering a "data gathering space age". Instead of waiting for scientific research vessels to conduct short, isolated trials, commercial fishermen are now gathering crucial behavioural and environmental data during their normal, everyday operations.
By seeing the gear perform underwater, crews can make immediate adjustments to fish smarter, reduce unnecessary bycatch, and protect the marine environment. It is a massive step towards a data-led, sustainable fishery where the industry actively shapes its own future. For operators looking to fish more effectively whilst actively supporting marine conservation, in-situ monitoring technology is proving to be an invaluable asset.
If you are interested in seeing how CatchCam technology could work for your own gear, the team at CatchCam Technologies is very open to collaborating with commercial fishermen and researchers.
They provide tailored systems and can assist with onboard training, specialised mounting, and data analysis. Whether you are looking to trial a system to improve selectivity, reduce bycatch, or simply understand how your nets are performing underwater, you can reach out to them directly.
How to get in touch: Website:
Contact the team at contact@catchcam.tech
