An energy-efficient squid fishing-boat sponsored by the Council of Agriculture (COA) yesterday headed out to the southwestern Pacific Ocean, north of the Falkland Islands, on its maiden voyage, as a six-month testing phase began to examine the efficacy of its arrays of light emitting diodes (LED) for catching squid.
The boat, constructed by a COA agricultural technology development project, was built by Taoyuan-based Dayu Optoelectronics Co, with technical support from Jong Shyn Shipbuilding, using a council subsidy of NT$13 million (US$406,110).
COA Department of Science and Technology Deputy Director Lee Hung-hsi (李紅曦) said that the water off the Falkland Islands was chosen because squid display a high level of activity in the region from December to May every year.
According to Lee, Dayu modeled the vessel after a fishing boat it developed to catch Pacific sauries, in the hope that it would be able to replicate its success with the former operation.
The boat boasts anti-corrosion and water-pressure-resistant LED displays, which fool squids by creating a “twilight zone,” as squid tend to gravitate toward dimly lit areas, she said.
She said the power-saving LED displays are expected to help fisherman save up to NT$3 million in fuel costs annually, which means a NT$320 million reduction in fuel spending if all squid fishing-boats in the nation use the technology.
She said the testing phase marks the first in a series of planned tests scheduled to last over a three-year course, during which the vessel is to embark on several missions so that fishermen can evaluate its efficiency at enticing squid, durability and fuel efficiency, before the company decides whether to go into mass production.
As the world moves toward eco-awareness, the boat’s energy efficiency is expected to garner international recognition and bring considerable economic benefit to the nation’s fishing industry, she said.
“Every NT dollar in government subsidies is expected to generate an estimated NT$3.23 revenue, in addition to stimulating NT$6.05 in private-sector investments,” Lee said.
She said that the COA would continue to implement the agricultural technology development project in a bid to add value to the agricultural sector.
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