The effectiveness of light emitting diode (LED) lamps in the offshore purse seine fishery in Vietnam

Fishing with artificial light has become one of the most advanced, efficient, and common methods for the night-time purse seining in Vietnam. This study evaluated the radiation spectrum, CIE chromaticity coordinates, correlated color temperature (CCT), catch rate, fuel consumption, and CO₂ emissions when using Light emitting diode (LED) lamps (0.196 kW) in comparison with the use of metal halide (MH) lights (1 kW) in the offshore purse seine fishery in Quang Tri province, Vietnam. The fishing efficiency of the purse seine fishing boats using LED lamps has increased 1.58 times in catch rate than MH lights, although the energy consumption of LED lamp is 4 times smaller. Fuel consumption of boats per trip using LED lamps was one third of that using MH lights. The use of LED reduced the radiation spectrum, especially the intense UV radiation which negatively affects the health of fishermen. This study also showed the potential of CO₂ emission reduction up to 1.09 tons of CO₂ per trip per boat from the use of LED lamps in the offshore purse seine fishing boats.