Fishery

iXblue tackles the problem of background detection in a completely innovative way. Conventionally, single-beam sounders display the content of a single 7 ° cone only under the vessel. SeapiX offers a more extended view, first of all in Across plane to the ship (from port to starboard, up to 60° coverage) but also in the Along plane of the ship (from bow to stern up to 60° coverage). Thus, the skipper benefits from better information all around the vessel in order to optimize his trawling path towards the most favorable areas while avoiding the risk of hooks and damage to the fishing gear.

Based on years of experience with skippers, SeapiX provides factory “Mode of Operation” optimized for each bottom trawling stage. iXblue proposes Modes including 1 or 2 swaths with 3 to 9 Echogram sectors. Skippers can customize the factory modes with specific layout (on 1 to 4 display units).

Strengths for fish species discrimination and estimate

This accuracy of sampling in “Voxels” of small volumes of the biomass proves to be a decisive factor, especially for the near bottom trawling activity. In this very sensitive context, which consists in discriminating the individual echoes of fish at less than 2m from a strongly echogenic bottom, the treatment of multiple small Voxels makes it possible to limit the unwanted effects of the bottom in the discrimination of the biomass, and thus to obtain a more realistic quantitative estimate and TS characterization.

Near bottom individual fish “TS” are processed to fill “Class of species” data base of SeapiX and offer statistical % spread of species.

Seabed and hardness mapping

As regular multibeam sounders, SeapiX sonars build up seabed mapping with hardness measure, and present it as 2D and 3D view merged with vessel navigation.

But SeapiX is also capable of providing Along track sonar swath and multibeam calculation for the bottom.
Then seabed can be mapped ahead, offering an exclusive indication for skipper, able to anticipate danger and to optimize his catch.

Searching for pelagic fish requires detection capability from layers close to the surface and covering a large volume all around the vessel. Unlike conventional sonar, SeapiX provides high resolution analysis in a large volume of 120 ° x 120 °.

Large volumetric coverage offered in real time is crucial for the skipper. For that purpose, SeapiX system can offer modular configurations of 1 to 3 transducers with Downward looking or Side looking mounting to perfectly adapt to the type of pelagic fishing. In all cases it offers unparalleled volumetric control in real time at high resolution within a radius of 300-400m around the vessel, covering 120° (Single) or 240° azimuth (Dual).

Based on years of experience with skippers, SeapiX provides factory “Mode of Operation” optimized for each pelagic trawling stage. iXblue proposes Modes including 1, 2, 3 or 4 swaths with 3 to 9 Echogram or more sectors, from one to 3 Transducer. Regardless of the number of transducers, the data is merged and the operator manages his SeapiX system as a single system.

Based on factory Modes, skipper can customize his own Modes with specific layout on displays (one to 4 displays).

Simplest one is based on Across track swath view, generating 3 Echograms (Port-Center-Starboard) covering total of 120° (from 30° Tilt angle from Surface).

Thanks to SeapiX Along track swath, SeapiX provides Mode with Along track forward looking fish detection and seabed mapping ahead of the vessel (Along + Across Mode). This unique feature shows shoal coming from front. Every swath can be engaged with scanning to produce “Volumetric” Echograms.

For deep Pelagic bottom operation (as Blue Whiting , at depth up to 550m), “Along 6 Echoes” Mode is capable to provide true biomass estimate in deep layers.

Strengths for fish species discrimination and estimate

Thanks to split Beam calculation in all single beams (total of 512 per transducer), SeapiX supplies True TS and fish discrimination from all beams including from near surface beams.

This feature makes SeapiX a unique system capable to assess a whole shoal in the water column, located below or beside the vessel. Genuine fishing strategies can be developed such as mapping and classifying the biomass available on a fishing spot, targeting shoal species, avoiding unwanted fish.

SeapiX offers geographical filtering of the biomass detected all around by the echograms to get an accurate shoal targeting.

Side looking Transducer allows near surface control and all depth layer description of the shoal without need of Tilt adjustment. SeapiX images the entire pelagic shoal from surface to the keel below by providing true TS and discrimination for all pelagic species.

Large volumetric coverage offered in real time is crucial for the skipper. For that purpose, SeapiX system can offer modular configurations of 1 to 3 transducers with Downward looking or Side looking mounting to perfectly adapt to the type of pelagic fishing. In all cases it offers unparalleled volumetric control in real time at high resolution within a radius of 300-400m around the vessel, covering 120° (Single) or 240° azimuth (Dual).

Based on years of experience with skippers, SeapiX provides factor “Mode of Operation” optimized for each Seining stage. iXblue proposes Modes including 1, 2, or 4 swaths with 1 to 2 Echograms, “Volumetric Echograms, or more sectors, from one to 3 Transducer. Regardless of the number of transducers, the data is merged, and the operator manages his SeapiX system as a single system.

Strengths for fish species discrimination and estimate

Thanks to split Beam calculation in all single beams (total of 512 per transducer), SeapiX supplies True TS and fish discrimination from all beams including from near surface sonar swaths and echograms. This feature makes SeapiX as a unique system capable to assess and estimate a whole pelagic shoal located on side of vessel and even closed to surface.

Processing of hydroacoustic biomass data from all 512 beams allows to present on 2D and 3D biomass response only and reject useless detection of vessel wake and waves.

Purse seiners can develop genuine “fishing strategies” by mapping and classifying biomass available on fishing spot, before to choose or come back to best shoal according to species and pureness of the shoal.

Hauling seine, side echogram with mackerel shoal in the net

Classification and estimate of abundance before shooting the seine

Side looking Transducer allows near surface control and all depth layer description of the whole Tuna shoal without need of Tilt adjustment. SeapiX assess the entire shoal from surface to bellow keel by providing Tuna / bait discrimination and understanding Tuna behaviour to improve manoeuvring decisions.

Single to Multi Head system for full control

Large volumetric coverage offered in real time is crucial for the skipper. For that purpose, SeapiX system can offer modular configurations of 1 to 3 transducers with Downward looking or Side looking mounting to perfectly adapt to the type of pelagic fishing. In all cases it offers unparalleled volumetric control in real time at high resolution within a radius of 300-400m around the vessel, covering 120° (Single) or 240° azimuth (Dual).

Based on years of experience with skippers, SeapiX provides factory “Mode of Operation” optimized for each Seining stage. iXblue proposes Modes including 1, 2, or 4 swaths with 1 to 2 Echograms, “Volumetric Echograms, or more sectors, from one to 3 Transducer. Regardless of the number of transducers, the data is = merged, and the operator manages his SeapiX system as a single system.

Several Modes are proposed to suit with skipper phasis of approaching Tunal, including dedicated Mode for Tuna biomass abundance and classification purposes.

Strengths for fish species discrimination and estimate

Thanks to split Beam calculation in all single beams (total of 512 per transducer), SeapiX supplies True TS for Tuna discrimination from all beams from near surface sonar swaths and echograms. This feature makes SeapiX as a unique system capable to assess and estimate a whole pelagic shoal located on side of vessel and even closed to surface.

Every single detection is processed as Class of Tuna according to skipper expectation. Usually skipper like to split Tuna shoal in two categories, bellow and over 100Kg fishes with coding color.

Thanks to advanced biomass processing, Tuna biomass response is clearly distinguished from vessel wake turbulence, offering a very clear picture of Tuna detection to optimize and secure approach and shooting of the seine.

Skipper can make any selection of parts of shoals to make his decision, thanks to the virtual cylinder tool.

Skipper takes advantage of perfect image od fishing scene with clear viw of Tuna only related to his vessel maneuvering, with 2D and 3D presention, corralated with navigation path of the vessel.

Large shoal control during shooting stage, biomass of Tuna is shown only and vessel wake is removed.

SeapiX is a unique system capable to describe Tuna shoal in the net and to perform analysis also in the net. Crew can adapt their hauling actions to reduce risk of gear damages and to avoid by catch and mortality, as stress level of fishes are clearly visible.

Tuna vessel while hauling the net, equipped with a Dual SeapiX system, coverage of 240° azimuth in Seine with shoal and net shape control.