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Ghost gear - the term used for lost or abandoned fishing nets, ropes, pots, and lines - has become a growing issue across the global marine environment. Lost gear can continue trapping marine life long after it has been abandoned, damage sensitive habitats, create navigation hazards, and contribute significantly to marine plastic pollution.  For commercial fishing operators, ghost gear is also a costly operational problem. Losing nets or fishing equipment can mean expensive replacement costs, gear damage,  increased fuel consumption and wasted time searching for equipment that may be difficult to locate using traditional methods.  As sustainability and operational efficiency become increasingly important across the fishing industry, advanced multibeam sonar technology is playing a major role in both preventing gear loss and assisting recovery operations.  Seeing What Traditional Sonars Miss  WASSP multibeam systems provide operators with a detailed, real-time picture of both the seabed and the water column, making it possible to identify seabed anomalies, submerged objects, and hazardous terrain that may otherwise go unnoticed. Unlike conventional single-beam systems, WASSP creates high-resolution 3D seabed maps while simultaneously visualising underwater targets and seabed structures in real time.                                 This is done using a combination of the following features:  3D bathymetric mapping  Backscatter imaging   Side scan style visualisation  Water column target detection   WASSP can help identify submerged objects such as lost fishing gear, seabed hazards, and areas where ghost gear may be trapped or accumulated.   This capability is particularly useful in environments where nets, ropes, crab pots, or other gear may become snagged on rocky structures, wrecks, or uneven seabed terrain.                            Aquaculture nets and anchors shown in WASSP's live 3D display    Preventing Ghost Gear Before It Happens  One of the most important sustainability benefits of multibeam technology is its ability to reduce the likelihood of gear loss in the first place.  As seabed conditions change or in areas that are not accurately mapped, allowing operators to see detailed and up-to-date seabed and water column information in 2D and 3D helps them avoid obstacles capable of snagging or damaging fishing gear. By understanding seabed conditions before deploying gear, skippers can make better-informed decisions and avoid high-risk areas that may damage or trap nets and lines.   With accurate 3D seabed visibility, skippers can:  Identify rocky outcrops and hazardous terrain  Avoid wrecks and snag-prone areas   Better plan towing paths and gear deployment   Reduce the likelihood of cutting away trapped gear   Reducing gear loss not only prevents additional ghost gear entering the marine environment but also lowers replacement costs and minimises operational downtime.  Supporting Ghost Gear Recovery  When gear is lost, WASSP multibeam technology can also assist recovery operations by helping operators quickly survey and record mapping of large areas in detail and locate targets on or near the seabed. By easily identifying suspicious targets or seabed anomalies operators can then mark exact positions for further investigation.  Backscatter and side scan style views can help distinguish hard or artificial objects from the surrounding seabed, while water column visualisation can detect suspended ropes, floats.       Submerged ropes shown on a WASSP sidescan view  In one real-world example, a Dutch fishing vessel used WASSP technology to successfully locate and recover a lost shrimp net in approximately 20–25 metres of water. Using backscatter and side scan style presentations, the crew identified the target in less than 30 minutes and successfully recovered the gear.                            Recovery of lost gear after using WASSP to pinpoint location  While detection capability depends on factors such as water depth, seabed type, object size, and environmental conditions, multibeam systems provide a powerful complementary tool for search and recovery operations.   WASSP multibeam systems can also support remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and inspection workflows by providing accurate target positioning and real-time situational awareness during recovery operations. Integrated solution such as this provide a truly robust solution to locating, identifying and recovering lost gear.  Improving Fuel Efficiency and Operational Sustainability  Sustainability is not only about reducing waste - it is also about improving efficiency. Helping vessels locate fish faster and operate more efficiently can significantly reduce fuel usage during fishing operations.   By improving situational awareness and reducing unnecessary searching or repeat towing, operators can:  Spend less time searching for productive ground  Reduce fuel burn   Improve trip efficiency   Minimise gear damage and unproductive tows   Commercial fishermen using WASSP have reported reductions in fishing time, reduced gear damage, and appreciable fuel savings due to a better understanding of their seabed environment.   Seabed feature (wreck) identified using multiple WASSP features  Supporting More Selective and Sustainable Fishing  Detailed water column visualisation also allows operators to better understand fish behaviour and school structure in real time. WASSP systems help crews identify fish schools more accurately and improve selectivity, helping operators remain within quotas while reducing unwanted bycatch.   This ability to make more informed fishing decisions supports:  Better quota management  Reduced bycatch   Improved catch quality   More efficient harvesting practices   Support cleaner and safer marine environments  As global fisheries continue moving toward more sustainable practices, technologies that support operational precision and environmental responsibility are becoming increasingly important.  Ghost gear is a complex global issue, but better information and improved situational awareness can make a real difference. WASSP multibeam systems provide practical environmental and operational benefits for modern commercial fishing fleets.  From preventing gear loss to supporting recovery operations and improving efficiency at sea, WASSP helps operators make smarter decisions while contributing to healthier marine environments.    WASSP Multibeam - helping commercial operators fish smarter, safer, and more sustainably. 

  WASSP Multibeam is becoming the sounder system of choice for recreational fishermen in New Zealand, with increasing numbers turning to WASSP’s leading technology to scan and profile their fishing environment. Not just a professional tool, WASSP Multibeam is proving to be great onboard technology to be used for more leisure based applications such as fish finding for sports fishing, wreck finding for scuba-diving or just general seafloor exploration,  – WASSP Multibeam can do it all in what is high tech and cost effective package. One boat builder choosing to specify their vessels with WASSP Multibeam sounder is Dickey Boats. The New Zealand builder manufacture’s custom luxury aluminium motor yachts and fishing boats in Napier on New Zealand’s East Coast. The company has recently installed WASSP Multibeam F3X systems into three of its 45 Semifly models – the WASSP Multibeam system suiting the individual owner requirements for a mixture of bottom fishing as well as water column profiling. Dickey Boats Managing Director Jason Dickey says he’s been suitably impressed with the ease of use, functionality and performance of the WASSP Multibeam system, and so have his clients. “I have just finished handing over another one of our Semifly 45’s and the owners are very happy,” says Mr Dickey. “The WASSP is the best picture and mapping I have seen to date and I am super impressed.” WASSP Multibeam sounder systems gives users seafloor and water column data in real-time. With 224 beams in action users are able to understand the underwater environment to locate fish faster over a much wider area than traditional single beam systems. And most importantly, be able to see the seafloor structure and detect hardness changes, giving an increased understanding of the underwater environment their target species are living in. “The ability to go out to depths of up to 100m and profile an area in just a couple of passes is amazing. Other systems it would take hours to gather the same information and multiple passes. “Once profiled, you can very quickly have the rods out and be on the fish.” “If you want the very best in fish finding technology, WASSP is it.” The newly launched WASSP F3X offers significantly more power along with long pulse time that equates to more energy in the water meaning more clarity in shallow and medium depths of 50 to 500m. The F3X with the 80kHz transducer provides the ability to operate as a sounder in depths of 1000m and provide mapping of the sea floor with Water Column Targets (fish) shown in 850m of water. F3X also comes as standard with WASSP’s patent pending Interference Management Systems (IMS) including AKP ready for install on complex vessels with several other sounders and sonars installed. Like professional users, WASSP Multibeam can offer recreational fishermen many of the same benefits such as saving fuel due to less time motoring, the ability to break-in and discover new ground faster and more accurately than ever before. Detailed information of seabed lets you retrieve fishing gear before you foul up. Precise seafloor information allows the skipper to target grounds thought to be unfishable and identify new opportunities and an increase catch rate. Detailed bottom hardness information allows users to target or avoid hidden underlying rock The WASSP F3X systems were seamlessly interfaced with the latest TimeZero Professional software, with the information presented via three 17" Hatteland Series X monitors.

WASSP Multibeam, inline with their company philosophy of constant improvement, have invested in many new enhancements, bug fixes and licenses with the announcement of the release of two new firmware updates, CDX 4.0 and DRX 6.0, for its F3 and F3X multibeam sonar systems designed for the fishing industry. These updates will add a number of new functions to WASSP systems currently in use and, in most cases, can be installed by existing users free-of-charge. The firmware update will include a new TVG (20 and 40) option, added to the existing mode, shows the full water column and does not need to be tuned for different depths. Also included is a new Multiresolution Database with automatic, depth-adjusted, best resolution mapping which can be used in all depths and to which existing databases can be uploaded. A greatly improved mapping algorithm will reduce roll errors by using best data, both new and historic, and significantly enhance mapping and tracking in shallow water of less than 5m. Add to that, aligned water column targets in sonar, sounder, 2D and 3D mapping can now be displayed in the same colour according to target or volumetric strength. A new Wireless Licence option so that two vessels can share (via wireless connection) each other’s WASSP mapping, including 2D and 3D mapping and backscatter – ideal for fleets or partner boats. A video demonstrating the system updates is available here. WASSP Multibeam screen imagery from the previous generation software The new and improved WASSP Multibeam mapping from the new firmware update. Gif file demonstrating the difference between the two generations of firmware.

  A squid-fishing trawler operating in the waters around the Falkland Islands is reaping the benefits having installed a WASSP F3X multibeam sonar system. The 83 metre F/V Igueldo had an acoustic upgrade recently with the installation of a WASSP F3X – installed by one of WASSP’s Spanish dealer’s, Nautical with full support from Furuno Spain. With the F3X installed, the Igueldo began trialing the new system in the deep and often rough waters of the Falkland Islands. It was soon apparent to the captain that even small amounts of squid were being clearly seen on the sounder and recorded on the 3D Bathymetric map. WASSP F3X Backscatter with Squid showing in sounder and as water column targets WASSP F3X with Squid showing in sounder and as water column targets. “Squid detection is simply perfect, equally as good if not better than any other echo sounder. Also, the 3D vision and the hardness of the sea bottom are very good but needs some fine tuning during the next call of Igueldo to Vigo, our home port,” says F/V Igueldo Captain, Miguel Pouseu. As with many other Captains, WASSP technical engineers will work with Capatain Pouseu to fine tune the system to suit his specific needs. “In my personal opinion the F3X represents a real leap forward in WASSP technology. The WASSP team should be very happy and I fully recommend the F3X.” The latest model in the F3 range, designed exclusively for the commercial fishing industry, the F3X incorporates a number of significant improvements by WASSP’s design engineers. It offers significantly more power - over 12 times more than previous F3 models - along with a long pulse time that equates to more energy in the water. In addition to more clarity in shallow and medium depths, the F3X with its 80kHz transducer can operate at depths of 1000m with mapping of the seafloor and water column targets such as fish schools shown clearly at 850m. The F3X also comes with the patent-pending WASSP Interference Management System (IMS) including Advanced Key Pulse (AKP) installed, helping to cut down the interference generated when a number of different sounders and sonar systems are being used.   Comparison with Furuno Sounders FCV1900B CHIRP and FCV1200 50/200kHz.