trawlers

A trawler is a fishing vessel designed to tow a trawl net through the water in order to catch fish and other marine life. Trawlers can target fish near the seabed (bottom trawling) or species higher in the water column (pelagic trawling). The gear uses a large net that is spread open by towing doors or beams and then closes as it is dragged through the water, funneling fish toward the codend, where they are retained.

The trawl net and its supporting equipment comprise several components. Otter boards or a rigid beam help to keep the net open; warps and bridles connect the doors to the vessel, and the net itself consists of panels with a codend for the catch. Vessels deploy nets using winches and reels, often with crew operating gear and sorting catches on deck. Power plants range from steam to diesel engines, and modern trawlers may employ electronic monitoring, vacuum or sorting devices, and refrigeration to preserve the catch.

There are different categories of trawlers, including bottom trawlers that fish along the seafloor and pelagic trawlers that operate in midwater. Within these, configurations may be single or paired, and gear types include otter trawls and beam trawls, among others. Trawlers vary in size from small coastal vessels to large offshore fleets.

Environmental and regulatory considerations surround trawling due to habitat disturbance and bycatch. Regulations address gear modifications, closed areas, catch quotas, and vessel monitoring to reduce ecological impact and improve sustainability. Safety and economic factors also shape trawler design and operation.