The Development of Midwater Trawl Net in North Pacific Ocean

북태평양(北太平洋) 중층(中層)트롤그물의 발달(發達)

The North Pacific midwater trawling which is one of the important fishing methods for Korean fishing industry is working in the Bering Sea and the sea near Kamchaka Peninsula. The catch by Korean midwater trawlers had been recorded about 300 thousands $^{M/_T}$ a year. Six types of midwater trawl net-ordinary midwater trawl net, super-V trawl net, super mesh trawl net, rope trawl net, super plus trawl net and kite trawl net-have been widely used by large trawlers above 1,500gt in size since 1982. Regarding the fishing efficiency, the super plus trawl net and kite trawl net were acknowledged as higher than other nets. Maximum mesh size of super-plus trawl net and kite trawl net ranges about 20m, whereas the length of net about 150m, and high-tech polyethylene is used as the material of rope part. The problems involved in the North Pacific midwater trawl net may be summarized as follows ; (1) The dimension of fishing gear is too big compared with the towing power of trawler. (2) The mesh size of the rope part is too big compared with that of the common netting part. (3) The net is often torn out in the connecting position of the rope part and the netting part. (4) The net is not matched with the trawler and the otter board in many trawlers, so the shape of the trawl gear in the water is instable. (5) The fish school located near head rope, ground rope and side rope in the net recorder is not caught in practice because of the net instability.