Instrument: Trawl_custom

Instrument: 
Instrument Short Name: Custom Trawl
(http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L05/current/23/)
Instrument Description:

A net towed through the water column designed to sample free-swimming nekton or fish, varies in design depending on the research project.

PI supplied instrument name: Trawl_custom
Dataset-specific description

The net is a scaled down version of the most common shrimp and modified shrimp net design used by Maine’s dragger fleet. The net was designed by the vessel owner and his net designer, Jeff Flagg, to fish effectively, be easily maintained, and be towed by vessels ranging from 45 - 70 ft. with nominal horsepower. Net tapers were cut to permit the shape of the net to get maximum height, while allowing the net to remain tight on the bottom. The net is shackled from the footrope to the frame using two 3/8-inch shackles to a banded wire that runs parallel with the footrope. Heavy rubber wing bobbins retard bottom wing lift. The top leg is 3/8th inch wire, 15 fathoms long, and the bottom leg is 15 fathoms. The net is constructed of 2 inch mesh overall with a 1/2 inch mesh liner in the cod end. Doors are #7.5 Bisons. The 70 ft. footrope includes 70’ of 6 inch cookies. Chain sweeps were not used. Between surveys, the net is sent back to the manufacturer where it is returned to specification.