The objective of the course is to give the participants an enhanced understanding of trawl performance in practice, both from an engineering, biological and a management point of view. Therefore catch efficiency, fuel consumption, bottom impact, species and size selectivity are all important topics for an optimal use of trawls and keywords for the course.
The participants will study different commercial trawl designs in the Flume Tank and learn how the performance and efficiency of the gear is influenced by changes in net specification, rigging and towing speed. This information will help the participants to select different nets for different fisheries, and assist them in maintaining the trawl.
The participants will be informed of the ongoing research within this field that relates to fish resource management and sustainability e.g. development of species selective gears, measurement and improvement of codend selectivity, as well as environmental impact of fishing gear.
The course is conducted as a residential course at the North Sea Science Park in Hirtshals. It will take the form of both lectures in the classroom on theoretical aspects and practical exercises carried out in the North Sea Science Park flume tank.
October 30th - November 4th, 2016. Participants are expected to arrive on Saturday, October 29th. They are thereby likely to benefit from cheap air-fares. The Course will start at October 30th at noon. The course ends November 4th at noon, enabling most participants to return before the weekend.
Demonstration of the design, performance and operation of trawls using scale models in the North Sea Centre flume tank. Introduction to gear research topics like energy savings, raised (or pelagic) trawl doors, computer aided design and simulation of trawls, use of new materials, trawl door design and performance etc. The existing knowledge of fish behaviour in and around the trawl illustrated by means of underwater video recordings taken at sea by cameras mounted on towed underwater vehicles observing trawl performance.
Review of selectivity in fishing gear in general and trawl gear in particular, and possibilities to change the selectivity pattern by altering use and operation, design parameters, construction, etc. Demonstration of various selection devices like grids, sorting panels and windows. Information on gear selectivity characteristics including: influence of cod-end design parameters on fish size selection and utilization of fish behaviour differences to achieve species separation.
Other important aspects of trawl fishing operations: gear legislation (technical regulation measures), requirements for catch quality assurance and hygiene on board fishing vessels, fuel reduction possibilities.
Everybody who in their professional life are involved with towed fishing gear both from the industry, service industry representatives, and research:
Fishing masters and fleet managers, net and trawl door designers and manufacturers, fisheries biologists and technicians, fisheries college lecturers / instructors, persons who have recently started working as fishing gear technologists / researchers and other persons who want a general introduction to the design and operation of modern commercial fishing trawls.
It is anticipated that the course participants will have a basic knowledge of fisheries and fishing gears.
Minimum number of participants: 12. Maximum number of participants: 20
English
Course participants will be accommodated at the Motel Nordsøen. Meals will be provided there and at the North Sea Science Park canteen.
Participation is open to all individuals with an interest in trawls and trawl fishing. Those who wish to attend the training course should access and fill in the online form. Each registrant must fill in a separate form. A clean photocopy of the form will be accepted.
Please forward registration to CATch-Fish before September 16, 2016. Registration is binding from this date. Payment to CATch-Fish before October 14, 2016.
The total price is € 3,150. This price includes everything: course fee, training materials, meals and accommodation, and transport while in Hirtshals, but exclusive of VAT. An invoice will be forwarded on September 16th.
Please note that the Danish Tax Authorities specify that private training in Denmark is charged with VAT. Registered companies in EU will have to pay in their own country (called reverse charge), but private persons have to pay Danish VAT of 25%. Registered companies outside the European Union does not have to pay tax in EU, and can apply for a refund.
If the course is cancelled at any time by the organisors, there will be a full refund of all payments. If a participant want to cancel there will be a full refund until September 16th, after that date 800 € will be charged.
The organisers has the right to cancel the course in the event that less than 12 participants register for the course.