58 FISHES AND FISHERY METHODS 



shrimper is secured to the stern by a boom backstay ratline structure 

 and single block tackle running from the ends of the cross-tee athwart- 

 ships to each side of the stern. The trawl winch is placed amidships 

 between the main mast and the hatch. 



In operation, the net is towed from warps (cables) which pass from 

 the winch through a block at the tip of the towing boom. In single-rig 

 towing the two warps pass through (usually starboard) the blocks on 

 the same boom, and in double-rig towing a single warp passes to blocks 

 at the end of each boom. 



Figure 4.9. Menhaden purse seiner. 



A few shrimpers (luggers) have the house aft and winch forward. The 

 towing cables are led through blocks over the house. The luggers have 

 a small platform area aft. 



Gulf trawlers (often referred to as Florida trawlers) are found from 

 North Carolina to Florida along the Atlantic Coast and throughout the 

 Gulf of Mexico, and in recent years they have worked off the coasts of 

 Central and South America. Some vessels of this type also fish in the 

 Gulf of Panama. 



Menhaden Purse Seiner. Menhaden purse seiners (Figure 4.9) should 

 perhaps be classified as fish packers rather than catchers as they do not 

 participate in the capture of fish, although they do assist in locating 

 them. The typical menhaden purse seiner has a house forward, work 

 space or pumping area amidships, and a house on the stern. The stack 

 is brought through the aft house which is usually a trunk over the 

 engine room. It is the only American fishing vessel with this particular 

 superstructure arrangement. 



Menhaden purse seiners range from 80 to 200 feet in length, are of 



