Fishtek Marine Anti-Depredation Pinger
Helping To Protect Yachts Against Orca Attack
A robust, cost-effective solution to reduce depredation and cetacean interactions with your yacht. Effective at reducing cetacean interactions - technology that works for yachtsmen and the environment.
Seal Safe
Proven to not attract seals and in some cases can dramatically reduce seal interactions.
Advanced Acoustics
The Fishtek Marine Anti-Depredation Pinger is 1000 times more powerful than conventional pingers.
Durable & Reliable
It is depth rated to 1000m and has had millions of hours of use in operational fisheries.
Easy & Safe
Offering lightweight and easy attachment with an auto immersion on/off switch in water.
Protect your yacht against orca attacks and deter dolphins and porpoises too. Technology that works for yachtsmen and the environment.
Technical Specifications
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1000m
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Replaceable alkaline c-cell (LR14). Checking the battery charge is quick and easy - look at the end of the carrier with the LED viewing hole and observe the number of flashes to indicate charge.
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37g
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185mm x 52mm x 42mm
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Frequency Range: 40kHz
Signal Strength: (re 1μPa at 1 m) 175 dB ± 3dB
Ping Frequency: 4-12 seconds
Anti-Depredation Pinger FAQs
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Yes, it’s safe for the environment and seal safe too. It is proven to not attract seals and in some cases can dramatically reduce seal interactions.
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It can be used to a depth of 1000m.
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The pingers are covered by a 12 month warranty, activated from the date of purchase.
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It has recently been brought to our attention that the Spanish Government has informed the RYA that the deployment of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADD) from sailing vessels for the purpose of deterring Orca from attacking sailing vessels is not permitted. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that ADD use is permitted by local, regional and national laws of the waters they are being deployed in.
From the Manufacturer:
Our dolphin anti-depredation pingers are used widely in fisheries around the world to prevent fisher-cetacean interactions. They have been shown to be effective in commercial fisheries for reducing dolphin, false killer whale and Orca attacks on fishing gear. I have attached some scientific publications of where they have been used and attached presentation (in Spanish) from some trials using them in Spanish longlines for Orca. A summary of the results is translated to English below:
Se repitieron un total de 49 lances. En ninguno de ellos se detectó presencia de cabezas depredadas.
They conducted 49 experimental sets with pingers – these sets had no depredation
Lances realizados de forma consecutiva sin emplear dispositivos a lo largo del palangre sí presentaron depredación (demostración de presencia de cetáceos en el área de pesca)
They conducted 49 control sets without pingers alongside – these sets showed depredation and also demonstrated the presence of cetaceans in the fishing area
Las capturas no se vieron afectadas por la utilización de los dispositivos
Catch rates of fish were not effected by the pingers being attached
We believe that the deterrent method used by fishermen will translate well and be effective at deterring Orca away from vessels. The Orca is most sensitive to noises at 40kHz (it can hear this frequency at just 50dB). Our device sends out a very loud noise of 175dB at exactly this frequency (see audiogram of Orca below). The longline fishermen in Spain and Namibia successfully use the pingers to stop the Orca taking fish for their hooks.
Fisherman’s feedback:
False killer whale depredation in Florida longline fishery: https://youtu.be/_SKej-VnB2g
Dolphin depredation in Mediterranean gillnet fishery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBLuQPtugc8
Dolphin behavioural video in presence of Fishtek pinger (India): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ouLR24jfqI
We advise carrying three pingers per vessel (1 spare) and deploying two devices over the side at about 5 meters depth (e.g. on a weighted line) but only when Orca start to approach. If the incidents occur at night, then probably safest to have them deployed all the time in the risky areas. They automatically turn on when in seawater and have a battery life of 175 hours. Batteries are easily replaced using standard C cell batteries. Carry some spares for passage. When delivered, they are ready to go.
**ADVISORY: It has recently been brought to our attention that the Spanish Government has informed the RYA that the deployment of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADD) from sailing vessels for the purpose of deterring Orca from attacking sailing vessels is not permitted. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that ADD use is permitted by local/regional/national laws of the waters they are being deployed in. **
Deployment
As a proven superior deployment method, we suggest the use of a stainless steel planer. This is primarily made for the sport fishing industry, but lends itself well to sinking the pinger to the correct depth without the issue of the pinger surfacing as the vessel travels through the water. We have these in stock.
Testimonials
“Good morning,
I bought you a pinger in anticipation of my departure to the West Indies and promised a return in case we had to use it... since you had no feedback.
We have just arrived in Guadeloupe and I take the time to tell you about our testimony because twice we were joined by 2 killer whales.
The 1st time, between La Palma Canaries and Cape Verde. By the time we reacted, one was 1m from the transom and seemed very curious.
The 2nd time, 3 days at sea from Cape Verde en route to the West Indies. We were quicker to respond, with the pinger ready.
In both cases, the killer whales left instantly as soon as the pinger came into contact with the water. Our speed of more than 6 knots making it difficult to dive more than 50cm deep despite several kilograms of weight per diving lead Even if we were not in the area where they are known to pose problems for boaters, the presence of the pinger convinced us being obviously effective.
You can use this testimonial if you wish.
”
Contact Us
Get in touch with our team to discuss your marine equipment needs today.