US RESEARCHERS MAKE BREAKTHRU IN FISH ATTRACTING SIGNALS
Concern over Presidents Fishing Ban Call Brings Flood of Worldwide Requests
Federal Regulation May Keep Knowledge Form Getting Out to Foreign Interests
ORLANDO , FL …NOVEMBER 6, 2006
When President Bush called for a halt to destructive high seas fishing practices last month (Oct. 4), many thought it just another pre-election politically motivated act. Based on analysis of U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization data, last weeks journal "Science" report (of a threatened “global collapse” if fishing around the world continues at its present pace) made it seem like much more than that. Any kind of change was expected to be a long time coming. The announcement by a tiny Florida research firm that developed a way to "talk to fish" may change things. It certainly has caught the attention of many foreign nations, some the US doesn't have relations with.
Working from a long-dead concept tried during WW II, in which undersea signals were used to encourage “fishy directions” to Dolphin carrying explosives under enemy shipping, the nonprofit Florida Institute of Video Education has been working on a documentary about the results of research into bringing fish closer to commercial fishing boats. Since the signals have proven “tunable” to those that encourage specific fish, this could reduce the dependency on the “bottom trawling” practice decried by the President. President Bush specifically referred to the technique of “Bottom Trawling,” which destroys natural habitats such as sea mounts, corals, and sponge fields and devastates fish populations and the ocean floor. The “SONARLURE” device attracts fish without massive netting use.
No pipe dream, working from the original idea which required expensive electronic equipment, several patents were issued for the new concept. It’s design uses subsurface Fluid Dynamic signals generated by friction when pulled through the water instead of electronics. Experiments with plasticized materials disclosed that some produced specific signal frequencies when vibrating. The signals are based on those emitted by “injured fish”. A grouping of “external lobes” with specific vibration characteristics do the sending. Deployment of “beta” test units near Valdez , Alaska (still suffering from the long ago oil spill), and off Scotland (where fish catch results have dropped substantially), brought in surprisingly substantial results. On Prince William Sound , site of the Exxon Valdez spill, the effectiveness was matched against others using conventional methods on the same craft who fared far less well. Research showed that giant Halibut responded to the “SONARLURE” devices to such a degree that the users quickly reached the "catch limit." Off the Shetland Islands , where the once prevailing Halibut are now rare, a version for Cod, which must be fished at more than a mile depth, was equally successful.
While the successful test data was being evaluated, one enterprising angler entered a fishing contest off Bimini to try his luck. The unexpected “win” (taking the top honors in a Boston Whaler sponsored fishing tournament), also confirmed the effectiveness, particularly when it was disclosed the "SONARLURE" device uses no bait on the hook. Seeking to broaden research activities, the researchers have tried to fund continued testing by offering free lure use in return for filing reports. An article in the Miami Herald brought 11,282 requests from readers which crashed the mail server. it also brought a flurry of foreign requests.
All is not “rosy” for helping foreign countries to use the new technology when it hasn't been yet made available to US fishing interests. Requests from DC embassies of foreign powers for a so called “technology transfer” (which would allow them use overseas), were immediately put on hold after several government agencies expressed concern. They were told a determination needs to be made if, due to its roots in a “hush hush” project, it needs Bureau of Industry Security or Munitions List approval. An evaluation of jurisdiction and classification would be necessary and “could take a long time.”
With the hope of immediately assisting US fishing interests fading, and to avoid the potential problems and costs of submission, “SONARLURE” sought the assistance of both Florida Senators to involve the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and its currently unfunded Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) group which provides research to “strengthen and develop the US fishing industry.” While they have received overtures from several Fortune 500 firms to fund more research, the problem lies in assurances that the funding would actually go to NOAA where it was intended. Both Florida Senator's staff have advised that no mechanism exists for making sure such funds would actually go to a designated Federal agency. While the much talked about “linkages” between private and public sector entities are an obvious possibility, funds would first have to go into the Federal coffers. Without a sponsored “earmark” to set them aside (and that requires addition to a Congressional budget bill), none of those involved are eager to provide the funding to Congress and hope for the best.
With research funds depleted, and no way to “get the word out”, SONARLURE Research Director Michael Shulman says he is now taking the “Thoreau’s Walden” approach to things with the $250,000 research result. “I am now out catching a lot of fish with a very, very expensive lure, but I sure would like to find a way to get it into the hands of everyone trying to make a living in the US fishing business.”
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