Nephrops (aka Norwegian Lobster, Prawns) are some of the most valuable species in European fisheries. One of the overwhelming issues in the fishery is Captains have no idea where they are catching Nephrops.

As seen on the FV Glittfors, the Notus Echo finally gives a way to detect where Nephrops are being caught.

Echo listens for the sound of prawns hitting the grid and transmits the data back to the vessel wirelessly to be displayed on a graph. The Swedish vessel FV Glittfors installed Echo this past Fall to detect Norwegian Lobster.

Captain Thomas says "We installed Echo to see where we are catching Norwegian Lobster. The Echo is becoming a very useful tool. We are finding the areas on our tow with more Norwegian lobster.”

Analysis of the Echo data (example below) indicates that Nephrops congregate in “hives.” That is, they are not spread out over the fishing ground. They congregate together in specific areas. Echo allows the Captain to locate these hives - the sweet spot and tow back over them

The above graph is from a Nephrop tow. Areas A and B are the best catch rates (the sweet spot). In area C and D the vessel towed out of Nephrops. Echo data for this 2 hour tow indicated the vessel was only catching Nephrops for 30 mins (25%) of the tow. With Echo, the vessel can now target areas A & B.

The Captain makes an overall comment: “We can also see when we are not catching anything and wasting fuel. We are very glad for the Echo sensor it is working very good."

Echo is sure to be the same game changer for prawns as it was for shrimp!