The Norwegian pelagic trawler Storeknut has reported significant gains after switching to Vónin’s fully controllable Twister trawl doors.
Skipper Tor Magne Drønen says the system has made fishing more stable, more efficient, and less fuel-hungry.
Smoother fishing and better catches
According to Drønen, the new doors keep the gear evenly open throughout towing, even in sharp turns. This means the trawl continues to fish without collapsing.
“It’s like having more power in the engine room – without paying for it,” he said. The crew have also noticed that they burn less fuel.
Easy adjustments at sea
The skipper explained that the Twister doors can be set to any depth and will hold their position. This makes them ideal for fishing near the surface or close to the seabed.
If sonar indicates fish at another level, the system can quickly raise or lower the doors without losing spread. Adjustments that once took time and manual work can now be done instantly during a haul.
Hard to go back
The crew have used the automatic Twister system this summer for North Sea herring. They are now switching to mackerel with a different net.
Next year, they plan to use the same doors for blue whiting. Drønen says the doors fit all their trawl gear sizes and can be adapted during a haul.
“After trying these fully automated doors, it’s very hard to go back. Once you test them, you are hooked,” the skipper said.
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