VAKI River Watcher

 

  
   
   
     
 

The Riverwatcher is a fish counting system that is installed in fish ladders, pools, traps or similar places where all the fish in the river have to pass.  The Riverwatcher is based on the same technology that has been proven in exposed conditions in the aquaculture industry and is currently in use in Iceland, Scandinavia, Ireland, UK, USA and Canada.

Riverwatchers are available as a basic system that uses scanners and a control unit to gather data along with the Winari PC program to analysis the collected data.  It is also available with a digital underwater camera system that captures still images or a video clip of each fish that passes through the scanner.  This can be very useful when wanting to identify species, sex or if the fish is wild or hatchery raised.

  
 
 
     
 

How It Works

The Scanner is installed in fish ladders, pools, traps or similar places where all the fish in the river have to pass. It consists of two scanner plates (20 x 60 cm) inside a frame, the distance between them being from 10 to 45 cm.  Inside the scanner, light diodes send infra-red light beams to receivers on the other side. When a fish swims through the net of light beams, the resulting silhouette image is used to count and estimate the size of each fish. The data for individual fish is stored in the control unit so that the counting can be analyzed later using the Winari software program.

The Control Unit receives the information from the scanner and stores it. It can be connected to a computer for processing the data as often as required. The temperature of the water is measured at programmable intervals and the date and time of day that each fish passes the counter is also recorded. In this way their movements can be correlated with environmental factors. The Riverwatcher can use mains power or solar panels with a deep cycle battery.

PR Aqua is proud to be the exclusive distributor in North America for Vaki. For more information on Vaki products, please visit their web site at www.vaki.is/

 
 

 

  
  • Comparison of catch figures and the movement pattern of the fish to calculate the exploitation rate.
  • Comparison of the movement pattern of the fish from one year to another.
  • Evaluation of the results of rearing and smolt releases.
  • Assessment of the influence of different environmental factors.
  • Assessment of the efficiency of the fish ladder.
  • Valuable data for better fisheries management.
  • Identification of species, sex, wild/hatchery raised.
  • Counts the fish with more than 95% accuracy.
  • Measures the size of each fish with more than 90% accuracy.
  • The control unit stores an image of every fish that passes the scanner, so the counting can be verified afterwards.
  • The date and time of day that each fish passes the scanner is recorded.
  • The water temperature is measured at frequent intervals.
  • The scanner’s electronic equipment is housed in a strong plastic frame, to protect it from damage.
  • Power can be supplied from solar panels and a deep cycle battery.
  • The counter can easily be adjusted for use in all fish ladders, dams, traps and similar places.
  • Storing and presentation of all data from a PC program.
  • Can be used to trigger a digital underwater video camera.
  • It is possible to connect several counters together and monitor rivers where there are no fishways.

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