Fish School Detection Drone. (Image courtesy of Dongwon Industries)
SEOUL, May 21 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s Dongwon Industries announced Tuesday that it has developed and deployed the world’s first drone specifically engineered for fish-finding operations, marking a technological breakthrough in sustainable offshore fishing.
Unlike previous methods that relied on helicopters or general-purpose drones, the new model—referred to as the “fish-finding drone”—was designed from the ground up with the sole purpose of detecting fish schools.
The project was led by Dongwon Group’s central R&D unit, the Integrated Technology Institute, which was established in 2023 and recently reorganized into the company’s technology division.
Developed over two years in collaboration with domestic drone manufacturer PreeNu, the drone incorporates features optimized for offshore operations, including automatic takeoff and landing from moving vessels, long-range wireless communication, and high wind resistance.
A fish-finding drone
The drone runs on battery power, offering a significant environmental advantage over fuel-driven helicopters and drones. Dongwon estimates that fully replacing its current equipment with the new drone fleet could reduce annual fuel consumption by 200,000 liters and cut carbon emissions by approximately 500 tons.
Equipped with one of the world’s highest battery capacities among commercial drones, the new model boasts more than double the annual flight time of conventional alternatives. Its top speed of 120 km/h allows it to outpace both ships and tuna schools, enhancing operational efficiency.
The drone has already been deployed aboard the Ocean Ace, Dongwon’s flagship purse seiner, and the company plans to install the technology on 13 vessels by 2026. Future upgrades will incorporate AI-powered software to further improve fish-detection capabilities.
Dongwon Industries, which first introduced helicopter-equipped purse seiners in 1979 and began using drones in 2022, says this innovation will redefine best practices in the global fishing industry.
“This fish-finding drone secures safety, productivity, and eco-efficiency,” a company official said. “It has the potential to transform the global seafood sector’s operating paradigm.”
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
