BINCKE - A HIGHLY EFFICIENT NET FOR COLLECTING REEF FISHES

The efficient collection of fishes from structurally complex environme nts (e.g., coral reefs, kelp forests) is difficult because conventiona l collecting methods generally cannot be used and many of the fishes a re mobile and active. We describe the design, operation, and applicati on of a diver-propelled net for efficiently collecting many species of benthic fish that reside on coral reefs and on kelp-forested rocky re efs. The overall size of the net and mesh size of the netting can be a djusted according to the size and behavior of targeted species to mini mize drag and damage to specimens. Altering these dimensions combined with proper use of the net can result in a high rate of capture succes s.