Fishing lamps, also known as fish-gathering lamps or fish-attracting lamps, are special lighting devices that use light of specific wavelengths to attract schools of fish that are attracted to light. It is an indispensable key equipment in modern fishery, especially in distant-water fishing operations. Its principle is based on the "phototaxis" behavior that is widespread among Marine organisms.
I. Main Uses
The core function of fishing lamps is to enhance fishing efficiency and catch, which is specifically reflected in the following aspects:
Attracting fish schools: This is the most fundamental function. At night, the lights can attract and gather scattered schools of fish into the illuminated area around the fishing boats, forming a high-density "fish swarm", enabling the fishing boats to carry out efficient fishing.
Auxiliary detection: By observing the types, quantities and sizes of fish attracted by the lights, fishermen can indirectly assess the resource status of the fish farm and assist in making decisions on whether to cast their nets here.
Control the behavior of fish schools
Light trap fishing: This is the most typical application. Several fishing boats use powerful lights to lure and stabilize schools of fish (such as mackerel, sardines, bamboo carp, etc.) at the surface of the water, and then use huge nets to catch them all in one go.
Squid fishing operation: Specifically used for catching cephalopods such as squids and octopuses. They have a very strong phototaxis to specific colors of light, especially blue-green and white. Placing the fishing hook in the center area of the light can greatly increase the rate of getting hooked.
Longline fishing and trawling operations: As auxiliary means, setting up lights in the operation area to attract fish schools first and then carry out fishing can improve the efficiency of catching fish.
Recreational fishing: Recreational fishing boats or docks also use low-power fishing lights to attract small fish and shrimp, which in turn attract large predatory fish, increasing the fun and harvest of fishing.
Ii. Working Principle: The phototaxis of fish
The reasons for fish 'phototaxis are complex. The mainstream theories include:
The instinct to hunt for food: Many small fish and plankton have phototaxis and will gather in the light area. Predatory fish will also follow and enter the light zone in order to forage.
Curiosity and Orientation: Light is an exceptionally prominent indicator in the dark ocean. Some fish will swim towards the light source out of curiosity or as a reference for direction.
A sense of security: In a vast and dark environment, the limited area illuminated by light may give some fish schools a sense of security of "gathering".
Light color preference: Different species of fish have different sensitivities and preferences for light of different wavelengths (i.e., different colors).
Iii. Types and Introduction of Fishing Lamps
Fishing lamps are mainly classified according to the type of light source, and their development history also reflects the progress of technology.
Metal halide lamp
Introduction: This is the main high-power light source in traditional fishery, especially the white light metal halide lamp.
Features
Advantages: Extremely high brightness, good water permeability, and capable of illuminating large areas of sea.
Disadvantages: High power consumption, high heat generation, short lifespan, fragile, slow start-up (requires ballast), and contains harmful substances such as mercury.
Current situation: It is gradually being replaced by LED lights, but it is still used on some large purse Seine vessels.
2. LED fishing light
Introduction: The absolute mainstream and future trend of the current fishing light market.
Features
Advantages
Energy-saving and highly efficient: The energy consumption is only 20% to 30% of that of metal halide lamps, greatly reducing fuel costs.
Extremely long service life: The service life can reach tens of thousands of hours, which is almost permanent.
Strong shock resistance: Solid-state luminescence, not afraid of ship vibration.
Instant lighting: No preheating required, it can reach the maximum brightness instantly.
Color options: It can precisely produce specific wavelengths (such as blue light, green light, white light, and purple light) for different fish species.
Environmental protection and safety: Mercury-free, low calorific value.
Disadvantage: The initial purchase cost is relatively high, but the overall cost is lower for long-term operation.
3. Other types (less frequently used)
Incandescent lamps/halogen lamps: Used in the early days, they were inefficient and generated a lot of heat. They have now been largely phased out.
High-pressure sodium lamps: They emit yellow light and have good fog permeability, but they are less used in the fishery industry.
Iv. Selection of Light Color
The penetrating power of light of different colors in water varies, and so does its attraction to fish.
Blue light/blue-green light (wavelength 450-520nm) :
Usage: The most commonly used and effective color, especially suitable for catching squid.
Principle: In clear seawater, blue light has the strongest penetrating power, travels the longest distance, and can attract the deepest and farthest fish schools. Cephalopods such as squids are particularly sensitive to blue light.
Green light (wavelength 520-570nm) :
Usage: It is also highly effective and is often used to attract various types of fish. In some sea areas or for certain fish species (such as mackerel), its effect is even better than that of blue light.
Principle: Its penetrating power is second only to blue light, and the human eye is also the most sensitive to green light.
White light (full spectrum)
Application: The main light color of traditional metal halide lamps, with a bright light area, can simulate natural light, attract various light-attracting organisms, and form a complete food chain to lure large fish.
Other colors (such as purple light, red light)
Usage: Relatively niche. Red light has the poorest penetrating power, but it may have special effects on certain specific fish species and is often used as an auxiliary light source.
Modern LED fishing boats are often equipped with lights of various colors, which can be switched or combined according to the target fish species, water depth and water quality conditions to achieve the best fish-catching effect.
Summary
Fishing lamps represent a key technological innovation in modern fishery. They ingeniously utilize the physiological characteristics of Marine organisms, transforming fishing operations from passive "searching" to active "attracting", significantly enhancing production efficiency and economic benefits. The technology itself has also rapidly evolved from traditional lamps with high energy consumption and high maintenance to energy-saving, environmentally friendly, intelligent and customizable LED.
