Advances in Fishing Technology

The book, “Advances in Fishing Technology”, describing the status of present commercial fishing fleets, with their merits and demerits. Modernization of fishing vessels with semi-automated systems and instrumentation of fishing gears with mechanized net assembly and handling is a step forward towards mechanization and automation in fishing systems, described in the book in details. Searching of fish schools in sea with the aid of electronic and acoustic tools, like, echo-sounder, sonar and telemeter, not only reduce the time lost in searching, but also increase the fishing time substantially. Luring of fish by light, under water sound and electric field improve the catching efficiency of the fishing gear. Modernization of fishing techniques increase capital cost. There should be sufficient return on investment. System approach to fisheries planning, together with system analysis in fishing operation with modern techniques require a thorough investigations. This will not only predict the probability of economic return, by the way of increasing the productive efficiency, reduction of reluctant fishing crews through automation and mechanization, but will also increase the earnings, safety and comfort of fishermen in fishing voyages. Mechanized fish processing and refrigeration on board fishing vessels and improved ware housing of fish and fishery products, described in the relevant chapters of the book offer a better keeping quality and higher market price, which again assures higher return on investment. Improved methods of handling fish catch during unloading, containerization and transfer of catch at sea will substantially reduce the storage time and improve the condition of catch both for processing plants and consumers. Lastly an indication has been given about the future development in fishing technology, where machine control will be more than the present day man-machine control. . The discussions on the contents described in the book, presented in the form of `epilogue’ is an additional attraction of the book.