Research on optimal spacing of light-assisted squid jigging vessels based on Monte Carlo simulation

To solve the problem of light field interference caused by improper inter-vessel spacing, we developed a Monte Carlo simulation framework to determine the optimal vessel spacing for light-assisted squid jigging vessels. This framework incorporates key parameters such as lamp light distribution curves, fishing vessel lighting configurations, and sea surface wind speed into the model for the first time, breaking through the limitation of conventional geometric optics algorithms that ignore sea surface undulations. The simulation results demonstrate that vessel spacing was significantly positively correlated with both total lighting power and sea surface wind speed. Specifically, as the total power increased from 120 kW to 480 kW, the required spacing increased from 979.13 m to 1 245.80 m. For a total power of 240 kW, when the wind speed increased from 0.1 m·s⁻¹ to 5 m·s⁻¹, the vessel spacing increased from 1 106.85 m to 1 435.62 m. An increase in wind speed corresponded to a wider light field fluctuation range around the vessels, necessitating a larger vessel spacing to avoid mutual interference. Furthermore, the study comfirms that the installation height and arrangement of lights excerted no significant influence on vessel spacing (p>0.05). Compared with wind speed data from three major squid jigging fishing grounds, this study provides specific recommended values for operation spacing, offering a reliable theoretical basis for the scientific management and fishing ground order regulation of light-assisted fisheries.