The South African Octopus Fishery was ordered closed in 2019 due to whale entanglements. In Cape Town, the commercial harvesters and government officials quickly came to an agreement to use ropeless technology with timed or acoustic releases and the fishery has now opened again, so far with no entanglements. South Africa is the just latest jurisdiction to demonstrate, ropeless technology is ready and commercially viable and is a very effective solution to prevent entanglements while preserving a fishery. 


Octopus fisher Mikhail Daniels. Photo supplied

"South Africa’s experimental octopus long line fishery has a positive story to tell of flexibility, co-operation, and technology."

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved the use of alternative gear for ropeless fishing using pop-up buoys on demand. This upcoming fishing season for Dungeness Crab there will be commercial harvesters using ropeless gear to continue fishing in a safe way for both migrating whales and the fishermen themselves. 



A WIN-WIN Situation

With ropeless gear, California is set to join other fishing grounds that have experienced zero whale entanglements using ropeless technology. Fishing operators will also receive the added benefits from fishing a more full season, safety from catch-theft, and a reduction in gear loss due to inclement weather or ship strikes. 

Less gear loss, greater catch protection, increased fishing season, and ZERO whale entanglements. That's my new definition of a WIN-WIN situation heading into the 2021 fishing season!

Questions or concerns? No problem, we love those! 

Reply to this email and I'll get back to you shortly.
Thanks,
 

Desert Star Systems LLC 

25 years of marine technology