70 SALT-WATER FISHES 



applies on some parts of our coasts, nominally at any rate, to all 

 trawlers, irrespective of their motive power. A beam-trawl of 

 20-ft. beam would be^worth about ^^ 12 or ^13, with all the gear 

 complete, and this is the size that amateur yachtsmen some- 

 times use. It is a pity that they use any. If they want to net 

 fresh fish for the table, it would be far better for them to keep a 

 set of trammels and catch plaice and red muUet. The trammel 

 is a quiet piece of tackle that can be set near the yacht's 

 moorings for the night without disturbing any one. The 

 trawl, on the other hand, gets in the way of all manner of craft, 

 and there are quite enough trawlers earning their livelihood 

 without wealthy amateurs contributing their share towards the 

 depletion of the inshore waters. 



The otter-trawl dispenses with the cumbrous beam, the 

 mouth of the net being kept open with boards that fly asunder 

 on the principle of kites, as was long ago pointed out by Mr. 

 Holdsworth, a great authority on our sea fisheries. One edge 

 only of these boards rests on the ground, and iron plates are 

 sometimes screwed to their sides to give added weight, a fathom 

 or two of galvanised chain being also used between them and the 

 end of the bridle, giving a more direct pull on the trawl. It is 

 said that the otter-trawl catches more fish, and it is certainly 

 easier to put down, tow, and haul, for in the last-named opera- 

 tion the boards come automatically together, and in that position 

 offer far less resistance than the less accommodating beam. 

 The "wings" of a 28-ft. trawl, to ft. square at the mouth, 

 would measure about 36 ft. An otter-trawl measuring 90 it. 

 across at the mouth would cost complete about {^Z'^. 



The Spaniards, by the way, have a primitive form of 

 trawl, with which they nevertheless make very good catches, 

 in which both beam and otter-boards are dispensed with, the 

 mouth being kept wide open by working the net between 

 two sailing boats. 



We may now appropriately revert to the contentions of 

 depletion of the sea, because it is to the trawl that most of the 



