R/V Bigelow: Overspread, Under spread, or the Perfect spread.

In my opinion, these issues have occurred since NOAA Fisheries switched from a side-trawler to a more efficient stern-trawler, many years ago. The R/V Delaware, which was a side trawler that towed the main wires off the side of the vessel (the towing point was zero) and put the main wires together did the early fish surveys work.

Then came the first of NOAA’s stern trawlers, which were towed from the stern of the vessel, with towing points 22 feet apart. Today we have the R/V Bigelow with the towing points 36 feet apart, which is causing overspreading of R/V Bigelow net, which affects the fishing efficiency of the net.

I believe it was an oversight by NOAA’s Fisheries Science Center at that time, while the commercial fishery industry shares of fish stocks allotments were not affected by NOAA’s Fisheries Surveys. But as time passed NOAA’s Fisheries surveys do now control the allotment of fish given to commercial and recreational fisheries.

Today both commercial and recreational fishermen believe that NOAA’s Fisheries Science is problematic while N.E. Trawl Panel Members who regulate the R/V Bigelow Net state there is a problem of over and under spreading which causes the net to fish inadequately.

The N.E. Trawl Panel wants to put a Restrictor Wire between the doors to stop the overspreading. I believe what they want to do will not work adequately, because if one door hits an obstacle the other door will be affected. Another issue would be dragging wire on the bottom of the ocean between the doors will affect the herding of fish.

What will it take to address and fix the overspreading and under spreading and achieve the perfect spread at all times?

The R/V Bigelow has a camera system on the trawl doors, and they know the spread of the doors. Let us go back to the restrictor wire on the trawl doors. Instead of putting a restrictor wire on the doors, put a system on the R/V Bigelow that is able to pull the main wire together at any width. I believe R/V Bigelow towing points are 36 feet apart and should be narrowed to 24 feet. This could be a realistic, doable exercise, and I believe the, overspreading and under spreading will be perfect spreading!

Thank you. Captain Salvatore Novello, Gloucester, Massachusetts