Buoy Sensor Network for Derelict Fishing Gear Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fishermen often lose a significant percentage of their traps due to various reasons such as inclement weather, entanglement with marine mammals, and gear abandonment, leading to derelict fishing gear that can harm the ocean environment and marine life, and current retrieval methods are costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A system of buoys equipped with GPS, accelerometers, and depth sensors that form a network for communication, allowing for real-time monitoring of trap locations and motion, enabling quick detection of lost or entangled gear and facilitating immediate retrieval by determining the type of loss event through data analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional survey methods (air surveys, side-scan sonar, REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLES) are used to locate lost traps, then detection coverage is improved, but cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping buoys with GPS receivers and transmitters before deployment. These devices continuously monitor and transmit location data, so when a buoy becomes derelict, its location is already known or can be quickly determined from the last transmitted position, eliminating the need for time-consuming surveys.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoy system performs self-service by autonomously monitoring its own position via GPS and automatically transmitting location information when it detects it has become derelict. This self-detection and self-reporting capability eliminates the need for external survey resources.
2Measurement precision
If traditional survey methods are deployed to find lost gear, then detection capability is improved, but operational complexity and resource requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The buoy system autonomously detects its own dereliction status by monitoring whether it remains attached to the trap and automatically transmits location data. This self-service approach simplifies operations compared to manual surveys while maintaining high detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously transmitting buoy location data to fishermen, enabling real-time monitoring. When a buoy becomes derelict, the system provides immediate feedback about its location, allowing quick response without complex operational procedures.
3Quantity of substance
If derelict gear is left in the ocean environment, then resource retention is improved, but environmental harm and ghost fishing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time location monitoring and alert system provides immediate feedback when gear becomes derelict, enabling fishermen to retrieve it promptly. This feedback mechanism prevents prolonged environmental exposure by reducing the time between gear loss and retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
By continuously tracking buoy positions and detecting dereliction events as they occur, the system enables preliminary retrieval actions before significant environmental damage can occur, rather than allowing gear to remain lost for extended periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for rapid and cost-effective location of lost or entangled fishing gear, reducing the time and resources required for retrieval and minimizing environmental damage by enabling timely mobilization of rescue efforts and preventing ghost fishing.
Implementation Method 1
a position sensing unit is mounted to the buoy, wherein the position sensing unit includes a satellite signal receiver which computes location data in response to receiving signals from multiple satellites
Implementation Method 2
each sensors is a GPS sensor and/or accelerometer configured to sense location, motion, velocity, and/or acceleration of the buoy
Data Source
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AI summary
The location of lost or entangled fishing gear, known as derelict gear, is detected. The motion or change of position of a buoy attached to fishing gear is determined via sensors mounted on the buoy and compared to typical buoy motion. If the buoy has moved beyond a threshold value from its original location, an alert is sent to the fisherman. The available sensor data will be used to determine the likelihood of loss or entanglement. This alert facilitates recovery of lost or entangled gear by identifying where immediate retrieval efforts should be focused. The number of traps lost to the ocean that otherwise would continue to trap or entangle marine life may be reduced.