Wesmar unveiled a new trawl sonar system at the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle which it says weighs less than any other trawl sonar on the market. The sled for the new system has an in-the-water weight of just 9.9lbs (4.5kg), a practical weight for the ground-fish industry.
Dennis Soderberg, WESMAR's vice president of Electronic Products says the system is a technical breakthrough for small and medium trawlers, but that many larger mid-water trawlers already using WESMAR's (larger) trawl systems will add the new sled for their ground fishing operations. "The mini-trawl sleds have been designed to work with all our existing trawl systems," says Soderberg.
The TCS 335 and TCS 345 models allow complete underwater monitoring of the trawl net opening, with a constant indication of the bottom, a 360º picture of the net mouth (full length of the headrope, wings and footrope) plus fish entering and around the net. The unit also monitors cod-end catch sensors. With high fuel prices many operators consider efficient net and fishing performance vital and almost all mid-water vessels are equipped with conventional trawl sonar. The new WESMAR system now provides this same efficient catch capability to the ground fish industry, the company says.
While weight on the net has been a problem for ground trawlers, cost is another factor, particularly for the small and medium trawlers. Soderberg says this newest trawl sonar answers the need for less weight along with a very attractive price. "Many of our customers are buying two sleds when they purchase the system, because it is so affordable and an item that will pay for itself quickly with more efficient fishing. Another valuable reason for ground fisherman to consider the new trawl sonar is that the unit provides the capability of switching to mid-water trawling", he added.
Bill Delaney, WESMAR's trawl sales representative in Alaska, said he has already equipped two 110-foot trawlers with the new system for the Alaska Pollack 'A' season and has others interested. "At 9.9 pounds, mounting the sled is not a concern," said Delaney.
Features include:
Working Dept: 1000 meters
Frequency: 310 kHZ 2.3º x 25º
200 kHz Down Sounder 28º x 28 º
Profile: Sector up to 360º
Sensors: Four catch-sensor receiver Weight: Dry 12kg, in water: 4.5kg
Most customers are interested in the TCS 345 because it includes a pressure, depth sensor, a mid-water feature, which alerts them to how deep the headrope is in the water. According to WESMAR the fishermen say that by using a forward-looking, hull-mounted sonar, they know exactly how deep to set the net for the fish ahead. WESMAR says the system comes with no console to install and no knobs to turn.
The operator has complete control over the sonar with a pistol-grip controller from anywhere in the wheelhouse.
Special features include a level indicator that displays the pitch and roll to help position the headrope unit and also help gauge the effects of current on the net, an quick third-wire disconnect, and 'talking eggs,' a built-in speaker announcing which catch sensor has been triggered.
WESMAR says that every trawler with a TCS 335/345 becomes a potential mid-water vessel.
