Removing abandoned fishing gear from lakes and seas is a complex and labor-intensive process that often requires divers and manual recovery operations. To address this challenge, Vete Engineering has supported the research and development of underwater robotic technology designed specifically for detecting and cutting ghost fishing nets.
The project focuses on developing tools that can eventually automate large parts of the net recovery process, making cleanup operations safer, faster, and more scalable.
The technology is currently being tested and refined through real-world field operations.
The Challenge
Ghost nets present unique technical difficulties for removal:
- they often become buried in sediment
- they can stretch across large underwater areas
- cutting them safely requires precision
- divers face significant risks during recovery operations
Traditional removal methods rely heavily on manual diving work, which limits the speed and scale of cleanup efforts.
Developing robotic tools capable of performing these tasks underwater could significantly expand the capacity of environmental restoration projects.
Technology Development
Vete Engineering is working on a system designed to integrate several technologies:
• underwater robotics platforms
• cutting mechanisms for fishing nets
• sensor-based detection systems
• remote and semi-autonomous operation
The goal is to create a robotic solution that can locate, cut, and assist in the recovery of ghost nets while minimizing the need for direct human intervention.
Early prototypes focus on enabling remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to safely cut nets that are entangled on the lakebed or attached to underwater structures.
From Manual Recovery to Automation
The long-term vision of the project is to move toward a partially or fully automated recovery workflow.
The process being developed includes:
- Sonar mapping of the seabed to identify ghost nets
- Robotic inspection of detected objects
- Precision cutting using robotic tools
- Automated or assisted lifting of the recovered gear
By combining sonar mapping with robotic intervention, the system aims to reduce the time required to locate and remove underwater debris.
Field Testing
To validate the technology in real environmental conditions, the team has conducted pilot operations.
These field tests allow engineers to:
- test cutting mechanisms underwater
- evaluate robotic maneuverability around entangled nets
- analyze how different net types behave during removal
- refine the tools based on real-world conditions
Each field mission provides valuable feedback for the next stage of development.
Interview
Why did Vete Engineering choose to invest in this technology?
Vete Engineering team
“Ghost nets are a global environmental problem, but the tools available to remove them are still largely manual.
We believe robotics can dramatically increase the scale at which these operations can be performed.”
What makes this project technically challenging?
“Underwater environments are unpredictable. Visibility is often poor, currents can move nets unexpectedly, and fishing gear can be tangled around rocks or other structures.
Designing tools that can safely interact with these conditions requires extensive testing and iteration.”
What is the long-term goal?
“Our long-term vision is to create robotic systems that can assist environmental teams in recovering ghost gear efficiently and safely.
Automation could make it possible to clean large areas of seabed that are currently too difficult or expensive to address.”
About Vete Engineering
Vete Engineering is a technology startup focused on developing robotic systems for challenging environments.
The company’s work centers on applying robotics to real-world environmental and industrial problems, particularly where automation can improve safety and efficiency.
The development of underwater robotic tools for ghost net removal represents one of the company’s early initiatives in marine robotics.
Looking Ahead
While the system is still under development, the collaboration between environmental teams and Vete Engineering demonstrates how engineering innovation can support environmental restoration.
With continued testing and development, robotic tools could eventually allow ghost gear removal to operate at a much larger scale than is currently possible with manual methods alone.
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