Feds award $562K contract to East Coast firm for ‘Dredgemaster’ fishing tech
by Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff
Sensor technology helps vessels increase their catch while cutting emissions
ST. JOHN’S—The federal government has awarded an approximately half-million-dollar contract to a Newfoundland-based fishing technology company to build an ocean sensor technology for Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Notus Electronics Ltd. will receive $562,695 for its “Dredgemaster,” which is designed to help vessels increase their catch while reducing their emissions. The technology uses wireless sensors installed on dredges towed along the ocean floor to identify the best locations to dredge.
“This innovation will greatly support our scientists when doing their research on harvesting scallops in Newfoundland and Labrador,” Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, said.
The federal government plans to use the tech solution to assist shellfish scientists working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada; the Dredgemaster is expected to reduce fuel requirements by 15 per cent.
Along with the contract, the government announced a $500,000 repayable contribution to Notus under the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The funds will help the St. John’s-based company commercialize its Net Sounder, which is also designed to improve the effectiveness of fishing boats.
