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Home » Research & Services » Depts. » Fisheries » Research » Juvenile Surveys » Trawling Process

Trawling process

The coordinates for the station are entered into navigation software to ensure that the captain starts the tow at the correct location. Before the net is deployed, the cod end is securely tied off with a tag line. The tag line and cod end are tossed into the water. The captain accelerates the vessel so that the net feeds out over the stern. The tickler chain is then tossed. The winch is engaged and the captain spools out cable. Once the doors hit the water, the net will be forced open. Numerous data are recorded during the 5 minute tow. The trawl is hauled back after being on the bottom for 5 minutes. The net is manually pulled aboard by two crew members. The cod end is prepared to be emptied into a tote. The knot is untied from the cod end and the contents of the net is released. The catch is dumped onto the table for processing. Hydrographic data is recorded by another crew member while the net is hauled aboard. Prior to March 2012, the survey also recorded habitat and invertebrate data. The catch varies depending on the location and season. It might consist of lots of habitat.... Or there might be very little habitat. Some tows have more fish.... While others are full of invertebrates. The fish are sorted into pans in preparation for measuring. The fish are measured with electronic measuring boards and returned to the water.
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