FISHING DRAG FOR CATCHING SEABED DWELLING MARINE ANIMALS

摘要

A drag (31, 131, 231, 331, 411) for harvesting seabed dwelling marine animals such as scallops, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. The drag (31, 131, 231, 331, 411) has a towing bar assembly (33, 133, 233, 333) connectable to a vessel via a warp, a drag frame with a front portion (39, 139, 239, 339) attached to the towing bar assembly (33, 133, 233, 333) and a rear portion (41, 141, 241, 341) which is attachable to a container (62, 162, 262, 362). The drag frame has a first side member (45, 145, 245, 345) and a second side member (47, 147, 247, 347), each having a lower seabed engaging surface (49, 149, 249, 349) and a sweeper (51, 151, 251, 351) comprising a resilient element having a fixed end which is operatively connected to the first side member (45, 145, 245, 345) and to the second side member (47, 147, 247, 347) and a free end (57, 157, 257, 357) which extends to a position planar with or extending beyond the lower seabed engaging surfaces (49, 149, 249, 349) of the first (45, 145, 245, 345) and second sides (47, 147, 247, 347) so as to sweep across the seabed, in use.