A new codend lock designed for smaller seine netters, developed by Stenevik Hav with support from the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF), meets a need for this fleet sector as existing devices used by larger vessels have proved to be poorly suited for smaller seine netters, especially when they need to pass through a power block.
This latest lock, the Gullklumpen 4.0 (Gold Nugget) has a hydrostatic release activated by pressure, with an adjustable release depth. This enables release at a pre-set depth, allowing catch to be release as necessary to avoid overfilling the codend. This means a workload for the crew that doesn’t involve delaing with burst gear or larger than optimal catches, as well as less stress for the fish and improved quality.
Its operation is entirely mechanical, with no electronic components. The Gullklumpen weighs only 2kg in the water and is smaller than an A4 sheet of paper.
According to the developers, this device builds on experience with previous catch limitation systems, and provides better control over the amount of catch, reducing the risk of fish loss and improving fish welfare.
The codend lock has gone through several development phases, including laboratory tests and full-scale tests on fishing vessels. During the cruise, the solution was documented using underwater cameras, which provided valuable insights into how the equipment works under actual fishing conditions.
