Getting down to basics at Trawl University

摘要

We asked John Gauvin to elaborate on some of the topics covered for participating trawl skippers at Trawl U. (See story at left) Here are a few of his notes: Leading ropes: Dantrawl's prototype halibut excluder is farther forward in trawl than anything tried before. The beta version was not successful but work is continuing. One advantage with working in the front of the net is that halibut are not as tired in that portion and therefore should be more responsive to escapement opportunities. Modifications are being made to wing extensions of flatfish and cod trawls to reduce halibut catch. Video captured by Alaska Fishery Science Center's Craig Rose showed halibut swimming out in front of the footrope. Captains saw potential for modifying wing extensions to allow the halibut to escape out there and not be herded over footrope.