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Anti-depredation Pinger

An acoustic device designed to deter dolphins from poaching fish from nets and to reduce gear damage and bycatch.

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THE CHALLENGE:

Depredation of target catch

Dolphin interactions with commercial fishing gear—particularly depredation (removal of fish from gear)—are a growing concern in multiple fisheries worldwide. These interactions result in:   

  • Economic loss from damaged catch   
  • Gear damage requiring costly repairs   
  • Operational delays and safety risks to crews   
  •  Incidental capture (bycatch) of dolphins  

As dolphin populations increase in certain regions and become more habituated to foraging near fishing vessels, the need for effective, non-lethal deterrents is urgent.   

OUR SOLUTION

Anti-Depredation Pinger

Fishtek Marine has developed the Anti-Depredation Pinger—a powerful acoustic device designed to deter dolphins from fishing gear through unpredictable, high-frequency noise.   

This solution builds on a decade of collaborative work with fishers, engineers and scientists to design a deterrent that is effective, robust and practical for use in set nets.  

This pinger model is highly effective at reducing incidental bycatch in mobile gears where a more intense sound energy is required.  

FISHERIES & AREAS ESTABLISHED IN:

  • Mediterranean set-net fisheries 
  • Uruguayan bottom trawls (Bycatch mitigation related)
  • EU pelagic pair trawls  (Bycatch mitigation related)
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SPECIFICATIONS

Battery Type:

175 hours immersion time

  • Battery Type
  • Frequency
  • Volume
  • Ping Frequency & Duration
  • Acoustics elements
  • Spacing requirement
  • Dimensions
  • Weight (in water)
  • Depth rating
  • Manufacturer’s warranty

Key Features

Effective

The pinger emits randomised, high-intensity bursts of sound fluctuating around 40kHz at up to 175 dB. The unpredictable signal pattern helps reduce the risk of habituation, a known limitation in earlier deterrent designs.   

Practical  

Designed for ease of use, the pinger’s modular capsule can be quickly swapped out for a fresh battery-powered unit with no need to untie gear or interrupt operations. The compact, rubber-encased body is shaped for smooth passage through haulers and flakers. Weighing just 37g in water, it won’t interfere with gear handling.  

Durable  

With a depth rating of 1000m, the pinger is built to survive harsh marine environments. Its casing combines polycarbonate and rubberised protection for impact resistance and long-term durability in all gear types. 

Cost-efficient

With a product lifespan of over five years and powered by standard batteries, the pinger offers very low operating costs. Its advanced sensor ensures it automatically powers down when out of water and does not remain active when in contact with damp nets, such as those in flaking bins—further extending battery life.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

LED Indicator Light: Green flashes indicate working status; red signals battery replacement required. The flash is visible in direct sunlight, but switches off once immersed in water to conserve battery power.   

Safety: The method of attachment avoids weakening net ropes and the robust construction means no broken pingers with sharp edges.  

 

“the reason I knew they were working….[while working alongside other vessels]…. I was being left alone but the others were getting eaten alive”

– Scott Daggett | Demersal Longline fisher | Florida, USA  –

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