Morenot offers mower
Norwegian company introduces sustainable robotic technology
THE opening day of Aqua Nor will see the winner of the Nor-Fishing Innovation Award announced. Nominated as one of the three finalists is Mørenot's NetRobot X2, a new autonomous underwater, net cleaning robot.
Mørenot Robotics has developed a robot that prevents fouling growth on the net.
The company is experiencing high interest in the product, which is expected to increase further due to the innovation competition, where the company is up against CleanTreat, from Benchmark, and SpectraLice, developed by Ecotone
NetRobot X2 is an autonomous underwater robot that when placed on to a clean net underwater will keep the net wall continuously clean and free of fouling through low intensity brushing.
The underlying principle is the same as for a robot lawn mower, and the innovative product developed by Mørenot Robotics has received much positive attention.
'Mørenot strives to be a leader – both in thought and action – in driving the sustainable
development of the fishing and aquaculture industries,' said May-Linn Harvik, marketing manager at Mørenot.
'NetRobot X2 is an example of our innovative solutions that contribute to the environment, the fish’s well-being and growth performance, as well as the economic result of the farmer.
'We have experienced high interest in the product, and we are proud to be nominated for the innovation award at Aqua Nor.'
Norway based Mørenot is currently present in key markets and is expanding, amid expectations of rising demand for its products and services. This is fuelled by an increasing need for sustainably harvested food from the sea as the world’s population grows.
According to the World Health Organisation, the total food fish supply and hence consumption has been growing at a rate of 3.6 per cent per year since 1961, while the world’s population has been expanding at 1.8 per cent per year.
The average per capita consumption of seafood increased from about 9kg per year in the early 1960s to 16kg in 1997.
The per capita availability of fish and fishery products has therefore nearly doubled in 40 years, outpacing population growth.
Along with increased supply and demand comes a need for more
“The process is gentle both on the net and the fish....and cost efficient compared with traditional net methods” cleaning
sustainable operations, driven by demand from consumers and industry regulations.
Harvik said:'Mørenot experiences a high demand for solutions that reduce costs, boost efficiency and promote sustainable operations for customers in the fishing and aquaculture industry.
'At a time of rapid climate change and growing populations, we are setting new industry standards to sustainably harvest food from the sea.'
Fouling on aquaculture nets follows the same cycle as in nature – the organisms start to grow in spring and continue growing throughout the summer and autumn. When the seawater gets warmer, the amount of fouling increases, and nets may need to be cleaned every two weeks.
NetRobot X2 is quiet and works continuously so that fouling organisms are not allowed to settle on the net.
The robot has electric thrusters that ensure proper pressure against the net and manoeuvering according to the operating pattern needed to clean the entire net wall. The brushing process is gentle, both on the net and on the fish. The solution is also cost efficient compared with traditional net cleaning methods.
'The fish show no sign of stress when a NetRobot X2 is working,' said Harvik. 'The operation will therefore not cause a reduction in the feed intake, and a healthy growth rate can be maintained.
'The robot brushes the net 24/7, thereby preventing the fouling from settling and eliminating the need for jetting. The underlying principle is the same as for a robot lawn mower.'
Mørenot begun the development of NetRobot X2 together with Plastfabrikken at Bodø two years ago. The robotic technology is inspired by similar technology used to collect oil spills and has been tested by pilot costumers. Over the past months, a number of contracts have been signed and the NetRobot X2 has been at work in numerous locations along the Norwegian coast.
Mørenot Aquaculture is exhibiting at Aqua Nor 2019 on stand A-101.