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The company Garware recently presented in Chile a new development aimed at protection against predators, the Sapphire X18 wolf net, a rigid net for vertical drop design. According to the company, this new technology stands out for being a highly rigid sea lion net, ideal for straight drop design, suitable for places with abundant sea lion attacks and with great resistance to abrasion in exposed centers.
According to the company members, the interaction of sea lions with farming centers is one of the problems of Chilean salmon farming. Therefore, the use of the Sapphire X18 rigid sea lion net is ideal for the design of vertical drop sea lion traps, since it implies a reduction in diving ‘man hours’, with benefits both in safety and costs. In addition, it is suitable for planting, harvesting and net changes.
“It came about as a specific development for a local customer requirement. But now the rest of our customers are testing it,” explained Marcos Jofré, business associate Garware Technical Fibres Chile. According to the company’s customers, “it works well, and some have even migrated to this rigid wall solution, with good operational results in the cultivation centers”, emphasizes Jofré.
Major advantages
The main advantages of Sapphire X18 netting over other rigid nets are that it is easier to install and uninstall; it has less breakage, damage and deformation; its depth and width can be adapted to the characteristics of any cultivation center; it is more resistant to abrasion; it is optimal for exposed centers and is significantly more economical in its class. At the same time, after uninstallation, it keeps its shape and it is easier to service it in the netting workshop.
On the other hand, Garware explains, the obvious superiority of the Sapphire X18 net when compared to a traditional net arises from the fact that it allows the approach of vessels, with less danger of breakage and reduced diving hours, which leads to lower associated risks and also without danger to the vessels.
“When a wolf trap is opened or released, for example for planting, harvesting, treatments, handling or net changes, is when the wolf takes the opportunity to envelop. However, Sapphire X18 netting provides better protection. In addition, the rigid designs use less tensioners, approximately 50% less. After the incubation and development of this solution, it was put into operation and some customers are already using them in their second cycle”, explains Jofré.
Safeguarding investments with physical barriers
In Chile, sea lions are a fishery resource that has been banned for decades. According to Garware, their proliferation is uncontrollable and both fishermen and fish farmers must protect their investments with physical barriers that prevent them from passing through and make them desist.
“Their attacks are permanent over time, and intensify prior to mating periods. Wolves, in addition to being voracious, are intelligent, where they find it easiest, they will go there to eat, going to the centers with the least defenses. Let’s agree that the nets are fundamental inputs for the culture centers, they must be resistant, in order to take care of the most valuable asset, the salmon of our customers”, Jofré s.
Garware Technical Fibres is one of India’s leading players in the technical textiles sector. Founded in 1976, the company is today a multi-divisional and multi-geographical technical textiles company, and is known for offering world-class innovative solutions in high-performance aquaculture cage nets, fishing nets, sport nets, safety nets, agricultural nets, coated fabrics, polymer ropes and geosynthetics.