The shrimp stock in Argentina is phenomenal. The picture below indicates typical catch rates. Rarely do vessels have any issues catching shrimp. However, this large biomass does pose some issues in terms of trawl damage and quality. Trawls can be ripped open and shrimp crushed if the vessel tows just minutes too long.

The Notus Trawlmaster has provided a very good solution. Notus’s unique Activ-Omni technology gives the Captain incredible accuracy in the wheelhouse. Data is not filtered nor averaged, so fast changes of even 1m in spread can be easily seen.

The Captain of Madre Maria from the port of Rawson, Argentina describes his experience with Notus sensors. They use Notus sensors on their double rig shrimp trawl to monitor double spread, trawl wire length and door angle. Typical display below.

Captain JURADO says “In less than an hour towing, the doors closed at 12.5 meters...I turned and 1,000 boxes came. Without the sensors it might have broken the trawl or crushed the shrimp.” In this fishery, it’s all about knowing that the trawl gear is performing and when it’s time to haul the trawl.

Captain JURADO really has his Notus sensors dialed in. He adds: “If the doors close between 1 to 1.5meters there are 200 to 250 boxes in the bag. If it closes 2.5m I have about 400 boxes in the bag. If it closes from 4 to 4.5m, I have between 600 and 800 boxes."

Thanks to Captain JURADO for sharing his Notus experience!