Pingers reduce whales caught in nets off Australia

William Atkins
Thursday, 29 October 2009 18:51

Science - Biology

Fumanda Marine is teaming up with Australian government organizations to do something about the accidental catching of migrating whales in nets made for sharks. The company’s “pingers” can also be extended to other marine animals needlessly killed in fishing nets and control devices.


Pingers are acoustic deterrent devices that warn porpoises and dolphins (and now other marine animals) to stay away from fishing nets and other animal control devices. They emit a particular signal that is audible to targeted animals, such as whales and dolphins.

Recently, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (Queenland DPI&F) contracted with Fumunda Marine to expand the abilities of these pingers.

Queenland DPI&F wanted pingers to warn migrating whales to stay away from shark-control devices off the eastern coast of Australia.

Approximately 12,000 migrating whales travel annually throughout these waters off the Australian coast.

Thus, the government organization commissioned Fumunda to make pingers that warn whales to the presence of nets used to control sharks.

Fumunda accomplished its mission.

The company was successful in producing an improved version of its Fumunda pinger that are more powerful than the older version while quite a bit smaller and lighter.

Page two continues with additional information on these improved pingers for use in helping whales off of Australia.