Sampling performance and operational quality of a frame trawl used to catch juvenile fish

A sampling trawl with a rigid mouth; that is, the frame trawl, was designed so as to catch the large larval and juvenile fish more efficiently. The ne t consisted of four 13 m panels (nylon multifilament and twine diameter phi 0.75 mm, mesh size 8 mm). The frame of the net's mouth was composed of fou r stainless steel pipes (length 4m, diameter phi 76 mm, thickness 5 mm). Se veral operations were conducted to investigate the capability of catching j uveniles. A lot of Sardinops melanostictus juveniles, which are generally d ifficult to catch, were caught during every operation. Underwater observati ons proved that juveniles could not elude the capture. The frame trawl requ ires no special handling and is possible to operate in a rough sea.