GB2222752A - Fishing trawl - Google Patents

Abstract

A middle bridle trawl comprises two wing sections 1, attached to a tapering bag 2 and a top sheet section 3. The combination wire ropes 4 onto which 1, 2 and 3 are mounted have spliced eyes to facilitate attachment of the three pairs of bridles. Left and right bridles 5 are attached to otterboards 7, middle bridles 6 to a sledge 8. In operation the arrangement of middle bridles and top sheet section allow greater width and height therefore a greater fishing capacity than is available with existing trawls. <IMAGE>

Description

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF MIDDLE BRIDLE TRAWL Mr John Alexander Munro has complied this report on the Intellectual Property of the Middle Bridle Net for the purpose of using the comments herein for a possible British Patent.

PROCEDURE Observations were made with regard to a Middle Bridle Trawl whilst and during occupation as a fisherman. The objective for this type of Net are set out below. (See Figure 3) FINDINGS 1. It was found that using Twin-Trawl Nets they were cumbersome to use thereby causing difficulty in handling. (See Figure 2) 2. It was gound that maintence could become 'high' because two nets are used at the same time thereby causing difficulty wi th Manpower when repairs are needed.

3. It was found that during adverse weather conditions the Twin-Trawl system proved more difficult to operate than the present systems currently in operation.

4. Twin-Trawl systenls involves the purchase of two trawls minimum costing approximately 1,400 each. (See Figure 2) 5. Engines in excess of 400h.p. are required when using the Twin-Trawl system therefore this requires a vessel in excess of 50ft. A vessel of this length would cost when new 50QOOD and in some cases more.

6. It would appear that operation ot this type of Twin-Trawl using the minimum length of boat, manpower used must be around 4-6. (See Figure 2) CONCLUSIONS 1. The INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF THE MIDDLE BRIDLE TRAWL would be easier to operate as opposed to the Twin-Trawl system since the shooting and hauling would be with one net as opposed to two. (See Figure 3) 2. Maintenance would be simplified since again only one net would need repairs thereby creating further efficienty in terms of maintenance costs.

3. In bad weather conditions tie Middle Bridle Trawl would undoubtedly prove to be simpler to handle, safer and create ease of use. (See Figure 3) 4. The expense in using a Middle Bridle Trawl becomes substantially less than that of the Twin-Trawl system due to the simplicity of the design and the ultimate manufacturing costs. (See Figure 3) 5. The design of the Middle Bridle Net is capable of being used with vessels with engines of lesser capacity in terms of horsepower. (See Figure 3) Because of the design of the Middle Bridle Trawl present vessels may be adapted to suit this mode of operation. Thus it is no longer necessary that a vessel of 50ft. be used since the Middle Bridle Trawl can be scaled down to suit smaller vessels thereby creating further cost effectiveness.

6. Since the Manpower used in larger vessels is 4-6 when using the design of the Middle Bridle Trawl less manpower will required giving a saving of perhaps 50% in labour costs.

RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended therefore that the Intellectual Property of the design discussed would enhance the fishing industry by creating a piece of equipment which would be more streamlined in operation, be cost effective, and objectively be safer and easier to use. (See Figures lA 1B 2A 2B) See figure lT A bottom trawl is basically a tapering bag which is held open by two otter boards which shear away from each other is a kite like fashion as the vessel tows the net.

Bridles connect the trawl to the otter boards allowing the net the headline of the headline of the net to rise and the otter borads to spread further, they also have a shepherding affect on any fish which are between the otter board, hopefully directing the fish into the net.

See figure 2T The Twin-Trawl is a recent innovation which (with a vessel suitabley adapted) is proving more efficient than the single bottom trawl (Figure 1T) Two smaller nets are twoed smiltaniously and a sledge supports the innter sides of each net, whilst otter boards support the outer sides. The sledge allows the otter borads to spread further than on ordianary bottom trawl.

The Middle Bridle Trawl combines the advantages of both of the afore mentioned methods of fishing in-as-much-as it exploits the extra spread generated by the twin trawl system. This allows a fishing area in excess of the Twin-Trawls to be utilised. It simplifies the fishing operation to little more than that required for basic bottom trawling.

Research through international fishing papers over the course of several months has lead me to conclude that no such method as the Middle Bridle Trawl or a single net performing a similiar function has yet been devised or developed.

(See Figure 3 Figure 3T Figure lA lB Figure 2A 2B)

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS 1. THE MIDDLE BRIDLE TRAWL COMPRISES A BAG, LEFT AND RIGHT WINGS, AND A CENTRAL TOP SHEET SECTION AND BAG. THE AFOREMENTIONED WINGS AND SHEET ARE ATTACHED TO WIDE END OF BAG. THE NET IS MOUNTED GNTO COMBINATION WIRE ROPES TO WHICH ARE AFFIXED FLOATS ON THE TOP SHEET SECTION AND LEADED MANNILA ROPE ON THE BOTTOM WINGS.
2. 2. THE MIDDLE BRIDLE TRAWL AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM l IS ATTACHED TO THREE PAIRS OF BRIDLES VIA SPLICED EYES AND SHACKLES TO THE COMBINATION WIRE ROPES MENTIONED IN CLAIM 1.
3. 3. THE MIDDLE BRIDLE TRAWL AS CLAIMED IN CLAIMS lAND2 IS ATTACHED TO OTTER BOARDS AND A SLEDGE OR WEIGHT VIA THE BRIDLES MENTIONED IN CLAIM 2.
4. 4. THE MIDDLE BRIDLE TRAWL AS CLAIMED IN CLAIMS 1,2 AND 3 UTILIZES COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE OTTER BOARDS AND SLEDGE.
5. 5. THE MIDDLE BRIDLE TRAWL SUBSTANTIALLY AS DESCRIBED HEREIN WITH REFERENCE TO FIGURES 1-3 OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING.