The UK fish stock assessment survey bottom trawl for South Georgia

Criteria for the choice of a trawl for demersal fish surveys are discussed. Details of the construction and performance of the 120 Bolt Rope Bottom Trawl used during the recent fish stock assessment survey around South Georgia on the Falklands Protector are presented. It is proposed to use this trawl during future surveys in the area in order to improve continuity in the survey series. The design of the trawl is similar to the Polish P32/36 survey trawl used on the Profesor Siedlecki surveys around South Georgia between 1986/87 and 1988/89. The importance of reducing the variability of trawl performance during the survey is discussed