Various aspects of the new fleet.




Initials AA/V/BOL/SC



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Background: The Dutch fishing industry will soon have the aid of the latest scientific developments in fish research. A new fishery vessel joins the North Sea fleets this week. It will be able to detect the movements of fish at depths up to 4,000 metres (12,000 feet).

Asdic, echo-sounders and sonar equipment is fitted in the ship which has been built at a cost of 5 1/2 million Dutch florins. The ship is also fitted with underwater television cameras which can be used for controlling the nets.

The new vessel, named the "Tridens", will be manned by the Dutch national fishery research institute in Ijmuiden. It will be handed over on the Ist of May and then go out on patrol in the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean searching for new fishing grounds for the Dutch fleets.