Development of a long range pinger Test device Background: The council Regulation EC No 812/2004 details the mandatory use of acustic deterrent devices to deter Cetaceans from bottom set gillnet and entangling net. The German authorities wanted to have a pinger control device that allows the counting control of functioning pinger on a setnet without the fishermen being at the place and retrieving the nets. The device should allow:  to identify the Pinger signal (analog and digital sound)  to conduct a pinger function test at sea and in a bucket  to count the number of pinger fitted on the net at sea  to measure the distance between individual pingers with the additional help of a hand-held GPS

Tested Pinger types and specifications PingertypeSound Level (db) Frequency(khz)SignaltypeAnalogue/DigitalRepetion Rate (s) Remarks AquaMark D/ broadband sweep 4-30 increasing and decreasing frequencies (200m spacing) Airmar Gillnet Pinger 13210A/tone4 constant frequency (100m spacing) Fumunda13210A/tone4 constant frequency (100m spacing)

Prototype and final version of the pinger control device PG 1101 Ping Go (ETEC )  equipped with a sensitive hydrophone TC4033 (RESON)  LEDs are optical indicator for ultrasound frequencies received close-by  equipped with 3 operating modes and 4 noise filters  allow recording all signals  convert ultra sound signals into audiable frequencies  amplify original hydrophone signals  mix both modes  filter can reduce low fequencies of background noice e.g. coming from vessel engines.  make it possible to detect pingers aboard

Results of field tests Depending on the actual weather and sea conditions the analog Pinger signals can be detected up to 900 m and up to 400 m for the digital sweep signals when listen on a rubber boat or in the harbor. Depending on the actual weather and sea conditions the analog Pinger signals can be detected up to 900 m and up to 400 m for the digital sweep signals when listen on a rubber boat or in the harbor. Listen aboard the Dänish inspektion vessel „Harvörnen“ the detection will be also possible when the main engine is stopped, but at a lower range Listen aboard the Dänish inspektion vessel „Harvörnen“ the detection will be also possible when the main engine is stopped, but at a lower range From our research cutter „Clupea“ it was able to detect both pinger signals at a distance of 220 m with engine switched to idling speed. From our research cutter „Clupea“ it was able to detect both pinger signals at a distance of 220 m with engine switched to idling speed. The optical indicaters (LEDs) for the detected frequency was functioning up to a distance of 50 m. The optical indicaters (LEDs) for the detected frequency was functioning up to a distance of 50 m. The instrument is not only interesting for fishery inspection purposes but also for wale watching. A simplified, cheaper version for fishermen is advertised.