Abstract: A harvesting device particularly suited for harvesting artemia cysts. The invention in its various embodiments comprises a frame and a net coupled to the frame. The frame can include a front support frame, a rear support frame and a sledding frame. A net having a first end and a second end can be secured to the front and rear support frames respectively. In certain embodiments, the net has an aspect ratio or 4:1. One or more skids can be coupled to the frame. In certain embodiments, the skids are coupled to the sledding frame. In yet other embodiments, the skids are coupled to the sledding frame at substantially the joining of the front support frame and the sledding frame. The second end of the net can be attached to a conduit in communication with a harvest vessel by a coupling. The harvest vessel can include one or more dewatering stations in communication with the conduit.

Abstract: A seine net includes a net body having a woven net, an upper rope, a lower rope, a left wing net and a right wing net. The woven net has a division rope disposed between the upper rope and the lower rope, upper mesh areas woven between the upper rope and the division rope and horizontally juxtaposed, and lower mesh areas woven between the lower rope and the division rope and horizontally juxtaposed. Each upper mesh area has multiple first diamond meshes. Each lower mesh area has multiple second diamond meshes. The first diamond meshes are reversely arranged relative to the second diamond meshes. The first diamond meshes and the second diamond meshes gradually decrease in size from the left and right wing nets toward the net middle.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a spliced eye (220) of a sling (222) made from a rope that includes a core rope (37) and includes a braided sheath (398).

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 fishing net includes a knot made by a method. The method includes, lifting a weft and rotating an upper hook once until a part of the lifted weft is hooked around the upper hook, hooking a warp around the upper hook from a direction opposite to that of the weft hooked around the upper hook, then half rotating the upper hook, thereby detaching the weft from the upper hook, lowering the lifting plate and rotating the upper hook one and a half rotations in a direction opposite to that of the previous rotation, thereby forming a loop in the warp, pulling middle of the warp into the loop by use of an under hook, subsequently detaching, from the under hook, the middle of the warp passed through the loop, and passing the weft into a loop portion of the middle of the warp.

Abstract: The technical field of the invention generally concerns pelagic trawls used for catching large tonnages of insignificant air-bladder fish, where narrow, long cod-ends are necessary. The trawl backend of the present invention is designed so as to preclude narrowing of the backend's opening in the region of attachment of the backend to the normally narrow and constrictive codend of the Alaska Pollock Fisheries. The back end design maintains sufficient trawl back end opening so as to optimize fish flow during the entire catch period, with a circumferential stretch measure in that aft portion of the backend bordering the seam with the codend being significantly greater than the average circumferential stretch measure of the codend at the seam to the backend. Light gores are mainly are used in the backend with ribline ropes of pre-determined elongation abilities. Economy of fishing operations is thus improved and ecological conditions are enhanced.

Abstract: Thermoplastic resin compositions are provided that possess improved acoustic reflectivity. The compositions are useful in preparing acoustically reflective fishing nets that can be used in a method of fishing to avoid the unwanted capture of cetaceans.

Abstract: Mesh cells (30) for machine-made netting (51) use pairs of mesh bars (35) made from a continuous length of material and meet at a common coupler (34). Such mesh bars (35) have a lay with a common direction throughout the length of material. In a zig-zag pattern used in knitting machine-made netting (31), the longitudinal axis of symmetry (38) of mesh bars (35) turns at each coupler (34). Towing such mesh bars (35) causes water to flow past pairs thereof in two different directions with respect to their common lay. The directions of water flow are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry (38) of the mesh bars (35). As water flows past the mesh bars (35), the cross-sectional shapes of the mesh bars (35) produce a net component of force that is oriented in a direction perpendicular to a combined drag component of force for the mesh bars (35).

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).