APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
A recent innovation in the Atlantic has been the intro- 
duction, of metal. traps, similar to, lobster traps.) 7Use, of 
these traps makes possible shrimp harvesting in rocky areas 
inaccessible to trawls. Some conflict may arise, however, 
where metal traps and trawl gear are used on the same fish- 
ing grounds. 
Another device is an onboard heading machine which 
offers the possibility of reduced labor costs. A Texas- 
based firm claims to have developed such a device. 
Research into variations of shrimp trawls has been and 
is being done. The objective of this work is to increase 
harvesting efficiency. 
—--Electric trawl .—- the principle is to administer 
an electric charge to force shrimp from their habi- 
tat and to harvest as they emerge. The objective 
LS to) Gl) ssinerease caicch) per Unie eHrore (2) sspLO= 
vide a harvesting capability at times when shrimp 
are burrowed into the bottom, and (3) force shrimp 
from untrawlable areas such as coral and sponges. 
--Separator trawl -- the principle is to prohibit the 
entry or allow the escape of finfish while trawling 
so that less "trash" fish are brought aboard. This 
reduces the culling effort as well as provides for 
the conservation of those fish which would ordinar- 
ily be discarded. The project to develop a separator 
trawl was about half complete in early 1976. NMFS 
personnel feel that the design goal of 90 percent 
separation of discards while limiting shrimp losses 
to 10 percent can and will be met. 
Product development and processing 
Improvements in processing and product development are 
not needed for the major commercial species. A capability 
exists to adequately process these shrimp in a manner accep- 
table and marketable to the consumer. Because consumer 
demand is forecasted to increase in the future a need for 
product development is not likely to arise. 
Marketing Potential 
The marketing potential is unlimited as currently seen-- 
demand is far greater than any foreseeable supply potential. 
Shrimp markets are well developed and capable of absorbing 
increased supplies; however, State officials believe that 
some South Atlantic States could benefit by identifying and 
utilizing alternative markets and by improving existing 
markets. 
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