138 



BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OP FISHERIES 



COLLECTING GEAR 



Since the fishing gear occasioned the most serious error in obtaining a representa- 

 tive sample from any given locality, strenuous effort was expended constantly to 

 employ nets with a wide range in size of mesh, which would cut this inevitable error 

 to a minimum. Due to the efforts of 4 or 5 experienced fishermen, notable success 

 was had in the operation of the various types of fishing gear. Drag or haul seines of 

 varying sizes were the most practical and effective gear that could be used in the shallow 

 water, while trawls, gUl nets, tow nets, trammel nets, and dredges were most applicable 

 in the deeper waters of the bays or the Gulf. 



The frequency of use of any particular type of collecting gear was not considered, 

 since all fishing operations were conducted as environmental conditions and scientific 

 needs warranted at the time. Factors such as tides, winds, currents, type of fishing 

 bottom, depth of water, and the kind of material desired were but a few of the limita- 

 tions influencing the selection of gear. Table 3 presents a list of the types of collecting 

 apparatus most generally used. 



Table 3. — Types of collecting gear employed during investigation 

 [Several types oJ dredges and bottom trawl are not included] 



> Bag of commercial drag seine 16 feet long. 



' Width. 



