Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for sorting undesired marine species during trawling, provides a pliable grid when the trawl net is pulled from the water and wound tightly on the net reel, and when the trawl is deployed in the water, the apparatus is fixed into place inside the trawl and holding its shape with consistent grid spacing. Marine species sorting apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes grid, back straps, and lead ring. Grid includes a plurality of bars surrounded by grid frame. Grid frame is attached to lead ring at an angle using terminal couplers. Lead ring supports grid and secures marine species sorting apparatus in trawl webbing referred to as the extension.

Abstract: A network for providing high speed data communications may include multiple terrestrial transmission stations that are located within overlapping communications range and a mobile receiver station. The terrestrial transmission stations provide a continuous and uninterrupted high speed data communications link with the mobile receiver station employing a wireless radio access network protocol.

Abstract: The invention has a curved board. The curved board is formed into a shape that curves in a curving direction corresponding to an expanding direction of a net opening in a towing state, from a front-side end section that is a front side in a towing direction in the towing state towards a rear-side end section that is a rear side in the towing direction in the towing state. At least one of a projecting structure having a projecting surface, a top board, and a bottom board is formed in the curved board.

Abstract: A network for providing high speed data communications may include multiple terrestrial transmission stations that are located within overlapping communications range and a mobile receiver station. The terrestrial transmission stations provide a continuous and uninterrupted high speed data communications link with the mobile receiver station employing a wireless radio access network protocol.

Abstract: A fish-sorting system for sorting fish in a dragged fishing net (1), wherein the fish are actively sorted by means of a detection device (2, 3) which detects at least one size of a fish to be sorted; a processing unit which compares the size detected by the detection means (2, 3) with the desired size; and a sorting device (4) which retains fish in the fishing net (1) of a size greater than the desired size and which releases fish of a size smaller than the desired size from the fishing net (1) on the basis of the comparison between the detected size and the desired size carried out by the processing unit.

Abstract: Low or no disturbance sampling can be accomplished such as through a single-platform aquatic species and habitat sampling system with data integration and rapid processing capabilities that can address the need for sampling at variable depths over varied habitats, along with the simultaneous collection of linked physical and biological data. The platform may be based on a 24-36 foot boat, and may include a net mouth opener brace for an adjustable concentrator net and smaller drift net which may be attached to an adjustable sample chamber, perhaps containing variable mesh capture nets as well as cameras, water sampling equipment, and water quality sensors integrated with a fish finder, GPS, and other monitoring and data recording equipment. The depth of the net mouth opener brace and sample chamber may be adjustable using a depth control.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting aquatic animals has a cod end portion and an elongate lengthener portion. The cod end portion has an open leading end and a closed trailing end and side wall(s), the side wall(s) and the trailing end being substantially impervious to water. The elongate lengthener portion has a leading end, a trailing end, and side wall(s), at least a major part of the side wall(s) comprising a material substantially impervious to water. The trailing end of the lengthener portion is operatively connected to the leading end of the cod end portion. The elongate lengthener portion comprises a plurality of escapements through which water can pass from an interior to an exterior of the apparatus to cause a general reduction in the water flow rate inside the apparatus when the apparatus is submerged in a body of water and there is water flow relative to the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for control of trawling comprises two or more sensors for measuring trawl parameters during fishing, a processor unit for processing sensor data, a screen for displaying sensor data and/or processed sensor data. A method for control of trawling comprises measuring two or more trawl parameters during fishing, calculating the trawl parameters' deviation from desired value, and displaying the deviation on a screen.

Abstract: A system and method for sorting fish where the system comprises;—a trawl (2) consisting of at least one trawl bag (3, 3?, 3?), and where the at least one trawl bag (3, 3?, 3?) has an opening which covers a part of an inflow area in the trawl (2),—at least one monitoring device (6) arranged in connection with the inflow area and where signals can be transmitted to a processing unit from the at least one monitoring device (6), and—where a device, based on data from the processing unit, can move the opening in the at least one trawl bag (3, 3?, 3?) to a position where fish flow through the inflow area but on the outside of the at least one trawl bag (3, 3?, 3?).

Abstract: A net-mouth inclined trawl-net apparatus includes a substantially rectangular frame and a trawl net attached to the frame. The trawl net is formed of an upper net, a lower net, and a pair of side nets, and the trawl net has a shape formed of a body part of a quadrangular trapezoid shape. Each of the side nets attached to the frame has a longer side and a shorter side as an upper side and a lower side, and a side of each side net defining a net-mouth edge defines a side-net front edge inclination angle relative to a bottom side of an isosceles trapezoid having the shorter side of the side net as a side of the isosceles trapezoid, so that the frame autonomously maintains an inclination angle relative to the vertical axis due to a flow resistance and a lift acting on the net.

Abstract: A netting arrangement for use in trawling is described. The arrangement includes a grid portion 120 which is desirably collapsible and is formed from a plurality of loops. Each of the loops are provided with four sides, two sides having a substantially rigid nature and being separated from one another by flexible interconnectors. A netting and ramp arrangement is also described wherein the ramp assists in the selective expulsion of juvenile and small fish from the net.

Abstract: A trawl net layer-by-layer collecting device includes a rectangular cylindrical frame configured to draw a plurality of trawl nets that are arranged in an up and down direction. The frame includes an upper edge to which a net mouth edge of an upper net of the uppermost trawl net is anchored, and a lower edge to which a net mouth of a lower net of the lowermost trawl net is anchored. A pair of vertical bars are disposed on opposed sides of the frame. A slider having opposed ends slidably engaged with the vertical bars, the slider anchoring thereto the net mouth edge of the lower net of the upper trawl net and the net mouth edge of the upper net of the lower trawl net. A net-mouth opening and closing unit is configured to lock the sliders on upper ends of the vertical bars, and unlock the locked sliders one by one; and a controller.

Abstract: A trawl system component includes T90 netting and a first seam formed of a first netting panel attached to a second netting panel with the first seam having a seam ratio of less than one. The first netting panel is selected from a group consisting of: i) T0 meshes; and ii) T90 meshes having a mesh size of 160 mm or less. The second netting panel is T90 netting having a mesh size of 160 mm or less. The stretch measure of the second panel's netting has a lesser horizontal value than the horizontal stretch measure of the first panel's netting. The first panel is situated forward of the first seam, and the second panel is situated aft thereof. The trawl system component also third netting panel secured into the trawl system component by a third seam that is located further aft in the component from the location of the first seam.

Abstract: A method for configuring a shellfish dredge is described. In an embodiment of the invention, a bag on a shellfish dredge has a front side and a back side and is attached to a tow. The front side of the bag has a pair of end peaks, one or more central peaks and an open area for catching shellfish. The end peaks are attached to the tow and the central peaks are attached to vertical chains connected to the tow. The bag is of a depth to catch and contain shellfish.

Abstract: A harvesting device for zooplankton (1) or other micro organisms in a body of water (2). The new and inventive in the harvesting method is amongst others a bubble diffuser (3) arranged for being submerged in the body of water (2) and arranged for releasing gas bubbles (4) preferably air, in the body of water so as for said bubbles (4) may attach to zooplankton (1) and bring them closer to the surface (21) of said body of water (2) for collection by means of a skimmer or trawl (5). Said trawl is further arranged as a skimmer with a transportation tube from the aft of said skimmer to a vessel which both tows the trawl and processes the harvested zooplankton at the same time.

Abstract: A device for reducing the catch of unwanted species of organisms in fishing trawls which allows the retention of shrimp and the escape of fish from the trawl. The device features a longer, smaller diameter cylinder nested within a shorter, larger diameter cylinder in such a way as to create a continuous escape opening around the entire circumference of the net. The trawl bag is attached to the downstream end of the outer cylinder and the trawl body is attached to the upstream end of the inner cylinder. Flow blocking plates, set at an approximate 45° angle ahead of the escape opening, create an area of reduced water flow in and around the escape opening. Fish naturally move into the slower water flow and into the escape opening. Fish then move out of the trawl. Shrimp, being weaker in their swimming abilities are unable to move into the slower water areas and are therefore carried into the trawl bag and are captured.

Abstract: To provide a lightweight trawl net layer-by-layer collecting device capable of autonomously switching opening and closing of a net mouths of trawl nets.

Abstract: There is provided a trawl-net collecting apparatus of net-mouth inclination maintainable type capable of autonomously maintaining a posture thereof.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting animals living on or in a water bottom such as crustaceans and shellfish and fish, wherein a collecting device (5) is moved over the bottom, which collecting device is provided with a device for moving the animals from or off the water bottom, in particular at least one tine (14) that can penetrate into the bottom and with which said animals can be taken or forced from or off the bottom, while said at least one tine is provided with a fluid outlet through which under pressure, a fluid, in particular water, is forced into the bottom, such that a top layer of the bottom is stirred up and animals living therein or thereon are dislodged, which animals are captured in the collecting device.

Abstract: A trawl door for pelagic fishing comprises an accurately shaped main deflector portion (24, 25) provided with a leading edge lift enhancing structure constituted by a plurality of slats (20, 22) which form leading edge slats. At least the main deflector portion, as preferably also the slats are formed of plate metal for ease of construction. The preferred embodiment is a V-shaped trawl door made up of two sections (28, 29) of door.

Abstract: To provide a winding mechanism and a trawling apparatus capable of eliminating an excessive tension or slack generated in a wire wound around a drum and keeping the tension or wire length of the wire constant. A winding mechanism with tension control function includes a reversibly rotatable liquid-pressure motor rotating a drum having a wire wound therearound, a liquid-pressure pump coupled directly with the liquid-pressure motor and supplying hydraulic oil, and an electric motor rotating to drive the liquid-pressure pump. The winding mechanism further includes a control unit controlling a torque of the electric motor based on a variation in load current of the electric motor and winding off or winding up the wire to keep the tension of the wire at a set value.

Abstract: A harvesting device for zooplankton (1) or other micro organisms in a body of water (2). The new and inventive in the harvesting method is amongst others a bubble diffuser (3) arranged for being submerged in the body of water (2) and arranged for releasing gas bubbles (4) preferably air, in the body of water so as for said bubbles (4) may attach to zooplankton (1) and bring them closer to the surface (21) of said body of water (2) for collection by means of a skimmer or trawl (5). Said trawl is further arranged as a skimmer with a transportation tube from the aft of said skimmer to a vessel which both tows the trawl and processes the harvested zooplankton at the same time.

Abstract: A trawling vessel is provided with a trawl net (5) for catching marine bio-resources, with a trawl sack (3) attached aft on a trawl net (5) for keeping the catch. The vessel comprises lines (51, 61) for towing and hauling the trawl net (5), and trawl drums (6) for hauling the trawl net (5). A lock chamber (1) is provided in a stern (21) of the vessel and has a main portion of its volume arranged below the design water line of the vessel. The lock chamber (1) is arranged for hauling the trawl sack (3) with the catch from the sea through a sluiceway (2) in the stern (21), for discharging the trawl sack (3), and for temporarily keeping the catch. A trunk channel (16, 12) leading up from the lock chamber (1) enables the trawl sack (3), in a generally discharged state, to be hauled up through the trunk channel (16, 12) to a deck (24), thereby leaving the catch in the lock chamber (1).

Abstract: A fish bag (1, 1?) comprising a netting with bag rings (3) and at the end a second at the end a second netting (4) with purse lines (5, 6) and a towing line (9). One or more braces (9) and locking rings (8) to connect several fish bags (1) into larger units.

Abstract: A trawl's mesh cells include at least three mesh bars. A cell's first mesh bar includes a first product strand formed by a core product strand enclosed within a sheath. The sheath resists sliding along the core product strand during the trawl's assembly and field operations. The first product strand also mechanically connects to a second product strand forming the mesh cell's second mesh bar. The mechanical connection includes a clamp which encloses at least the slide-resistant, sheathed portion of the first product strand. A particularly preferred embodiment for the sheath includes at least one spiraling product strand interwoven with other encircling product strands. The spiraling product strand has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of each of the other encircling product strands. An improved method for catching fish with a trawl system includes a step of assembling the trawl system by combining selected trawl components.

Abstract: Mesh bars (35, 283) of a trawl (13, 263) include at least a portion having a corkscrew-shaped pitch which exhibits a hydrofoil-like effect. Such mesh bars (35, 283) are preferably formed from a material having a substantially incompressible cross-sectional shape. By appropriately selecting the lay and leading edge of mesh bars (35, 283), movement of the trawl (13, 263) through the water entrained environment creates a pressure differential and lift across that portion of mesh bars (25, 283) which exhibit the hydrofoil-like effect. The lift thus created increases performance characteristics of the trawl (13, 263) including increased trawl volume, improved trawl shape, and reduced vibration, noise, and drag. Obtaining the greatest improvement of trawls (13, 263) requires controlling a pitch range for twisted product strands (e.g. twisted ropes) (36, 37), and for straps (284) forming mesh bars (35, 283).

Abstract: Mesh bars (35, 283) of a trawl (13, 263) include at least a portion having a corkscrew-shaped pitch which exhibits a hydrofoil-like effect. Such mesh bars (35, 283) are preferably formed from a material having a substantially incompressible cross-sectional shape. By appropriately selecting the lay and leading edge of mesh bars (35, 283), movement of the trawl (13, 263) through the water entrained environment creates a pressure differential and lift across that portion of mesh bars (25, 283) which exhibit the hydrofoil-like effect. The lift thus created increases performance characteristics of the trawl (13, 263) including increased trawl volume, improved trawl shape, and reduced vibration, noise, and drag. Obtaining the greatest improvement of trawls (13, 263) requires controlling a pitch range for twisted product strands (e.g. twisted ropes) (36, 37), and for straps (284) forming mesh bars (35, 283).

Abstract: A rigging system or apparatus for connecting together bridal and bridal lines of a trawling system. The rigging apparatus comprises a main member and two or perhaps three link members. The link members are interlocked with the main member. The rigging system is optimized for use in a conventional trawling system comprising a door assembly to which door legs are attached and a net to which bridal lines are attached. The door legs are detachably attached to the main member. A slack line is attached to the main member and may be detachably attached to the door assembly. Each bridal line is attached to one of the link members, and one (or more) pennant lines are attached to another of the link members.

Abstract: A mesh cell construction which is systemized wherein opposite mesh bars of the rectangularly shaped mesh cell have a common lay direction when viewed in an axially receding direction (either right-handed or left-handed lay) that is opposite to that associated with the remaining opposite mesh bars of such mesh cell. In another aspect, when incorporated in a trawl (13), such cell construction of the invention provides for improved shaping and performance of the trawl (13) wherein the mesh cells of different geometrical locations positioned relative to and about the longitudinal axis of the trawl can be controlled such that resulting trawl panels wings (25) act analogous to a series of mini-wings capable of acting in concert in operation. Such concerted action provides, when the trawl is in motion, outwardly directed force vectors which significantly increase the trawl volume and hence mouth (26) volume while simultaneously decreasing drag.

Abstract: A mesh cell construction which is systemized wherein opposite mesh bars of the rectangularly shaped mesh cell have a common lay direction when viewed in an axially receding direction (either right-handed or left-handed lay) that is opposite to that associated with the remaining opposite mesh bars of such mesh cell. In another aspect, when incorporated in a trawl (13), such cell construction of the invention provides for improved shaping and performance of the trawl (13) wherein the mesh cells of different geometrical locations positioned relative to and about the longitudinal axis of the trawl can be controlled such that resulting trawl panels wings (25) act analogous to a series of mini-wings capable of acting in concert in operation. Such concerted action provides, when the trawl is in motion, outwardly directed force vectors which significantly increase the trawl volume and hence mouth (26) volume while simultaneously decreasing drag.

Abstract: Mesh bars (35, 283) of a trawl (13, 263) include at least a portion having a corkscrew-shaped pitch which exhibits a hydrofoil-like effect. Such mesh bars (35, 283) are preferably formed from a material having a substantially incompressible cross-sectional shape. By appropriately selecting the lay and leading edge of mesh bars (35, 283), movement of the trawl (13, 263) through the water entrained environment creates a pressure differential and lift across that portion of mesh bars (25, 283) which exhibit the hydrofoil-like effect. The lift thus created increases performance characteristics of the trawl (13, 263) including increased trawl volume, improved trawl shape, and reduced vibration, noise, and drag. Obtaining the greatest improvement of trawls (13, 263) requires controlling a pitch range for twisted product strands (e.g. twisted ropes) (36, 37), and for straps (284) forming mesh bars (35, 283).