Great Lakes Trawl Workshop
November 15-17, 2011
GOAL: The goal of this workshop is to stimulate participants to conceptualize and discuss innovative ideas for dealing
with current issues and future challenges facing Great Lakes trawling programs.
PRESENTED BY: USGS Great Lakes Science Center’s Lake Ontario Biological Station, New York Sea Grant, Memorial
University’s of Newfundland (MUN) Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR). Funded by a Great Lakes Regional
Research Information Network (GLRRIN) Grant to New York Sea Grant.
CONTENT: Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources trawling experts will present information on: trawl and door design
and hydrodynamics, fish behavior, gear selectivity, catch efficiency, and effects of environmental variables or changing
trawl configurations on trawl performance. Video of a Great Lakes bottom trawl (39’ headrope Yankee trawl) model
evaluated in the CSAR flume tank will be shown and discussed. This trawl model will be used as a case study, but
discussions will include topics with wider applicability and interest.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Researchers and vessel personnel who employ trawls for research on the Great Lakes
REGISTRATION: Please fill out and email the attached registration form to Maureen Walsh and Sharon Mullen no later
than 21 October 2011. Workshop size will be limited to 30 participants. Unfortunately, we are NOT able to make
workshop components available by webinar. Please complete the preworkshop survey at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CWYKJYT by 7 October 2011 if you are likely to attend and/or have a strong
interest in this topic (please just indicate in one of the open-ended questions that you may not or cannot attend).
FORMAT: A full three day workshop to be held in Bridgeport, New York at Cornell University’s Biological Field Station
(CBFS) on Oneida Lake(http://www.cbfs.dnr.cornell.edu/). Much of the workshop will be interactive discussions.
COST: There is no fee for this workshop, but participants must fund their own travel.
TRAVEL AND LODGING: Limited lodging is available on-site at CBFS on a first come, first served basis for minimal cost
($20/night, must provide own linens). Please contact Maureen Walsh for more information on this option.
Additionally, a block of rooms is reserved at the Hampton Inn (315.463.6443, www.hampton-inn.com/hi/syracusecarrier), about 9 miles away from CBFS in East Syracuse, NY. The Hampton Inn has free parking, wifi, and hot breakfast,
and is in quick walking distance to several restaurant choices. Please use code “Trawl Workshop Group” when reserving
a room. Room rate is US$109.00/night; reservations can be made from 26 September-21 October 2011.
The closest airport is Syracuse’s Hancock International Airport. Please contact Sharon Mullen at NY Sea Grant if you will
require transportation to or from the airport, or from the hotel to and from CBFS.
MEALS: We will provide lunches Tues-Thursday on site, and dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday. Dinners Monday and
Thursday are on your own, but please contact Dave MacNeill if you’d like to attend dinner as a group on these days and
he will arrange reservations. For Monday, please let him know by Weds, October 25th if you will be arriving and would
like to have dinner as a group so he can arrange the time and place. Snacks at breaks will be provided. Breakfast is on
your own. The Hampton Inn provides a complimentary breakfast, and there is a diner and a Dunkin’ Donuts near CBFS.
Important Contacts:
Maureen Walsh (LOBS): mwalsh@usgs.gov, 315-343-3951 x6512
Dave MacNeill (NYSG): dbm4@cornell.edu, 315-312-3042
Sharon Mullen (NYSG): slm22@cornell.edu, 315-312-3042
Great Lakes Trawling Workshop, 15-17 November 2011
Tentative Agenda
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
8:00
8:45
9:30
11:00
Welcome and workshop overview, GLRRIN
Introduction to the Marine Institute
a. Background and capabilities
b. Case study summaries
Basic Trawl 101
a. Interpreting Layout of Plans/Drawings
b. Understanding Symbols and Standards in Net Drawings
c. Cutting and Tapering
How to lay-out the trawl (with footgear attached)
Parts of a Survey Trawl (identification full scale)
12:00
Lunch (on-site, provided)
1:00
Overview of Great Lakes Trawling Programs:
Agencies, science missions, gear & survey designs:
Historic and current perspectives
Dave MacNeill (NYSG)
Paul Winger (MUN)
Philip Walsh (MUN)
Harold DeLouche (MUN)
Maureen Walsh (LOBS)
2:15
Break
2:30
Survey Bottom Trawl Hydrodynamics
a. Trawl Components and Trawl Hydrodynamics
b. Forces Acting on Bottom Survey Trawls
c. Otter Board (Trawl Door) Theory
d. Door Rigging
e. Interpretation of Door Shoe Wear Pattern
George Legge (MUN)
Survey Bottom Trawl Engineering
a. Materials (wire, chain, rope, netting)
b. Rigging
c. Mesh and Web Parameters
d. How to Check Mesh Sizes
e. Rope and Twine Characteristics
f. Part Identification and Manufacturer Variability
i. Hydrostatic Testing of Various Trawl Components
ii. Hydrostatic Testing of Floats
Philip Walsh (MUN)
George Legge (MUN)
6:30
Dinner (on site, provided)
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
8:30
Factors Affecting Catchability and Performance
of Survey Bottom Trawls
10:00
Break
10:30
Fish Behavior Near Survey Bottom Trawls
a. Vessel Avoidance
b. Trawl Avoidance
12:00
Lunch (on-site)
1:00
Yankee 39’ Bottom Trawl Discussion
a. Comparison of the Different Net Plans
b. Interpreting the Net Plan
c. Scaling and Model Construction
d. Flume Trials
e. Results
f. Pictures and Video
6:00
Dinner (on-site, provided)
Paul Winger (MUN)
Paul Winger (MUN)
Philip Walsh
Paul Winger
George Legge
Thursday, 17 November 2011
8:30
Other Survey Trawls (Bottom and Pelagic)
a. Net Plans
b. Flume Tank Video
Philip Walsh
George Legge
10:00
Break
10:30
Other Survey Trawls (continued)
12:00
Lunch (on-site)
1:00
Meeting discussions continued and wrap-up
Workshop organizers
a. What was learned?
b. Forming a trawl working group: what are next priorities?
5:00
Dinner (on your own, group dinner planned for those interested)
Great Lakes Trawling Workshop
15-17 November 2011
REGISTRATION
Name:
Affiliation:
Email:
Work Phone:
Cell Phone:
I plan to stay at:
1. Hotel
2. Cornell Biological Field Station (I will contact Maureen for availability)
3. Neither, I am in commuting distance
Any questions or special requests (food, A/V, access, rides needed, etc):
Please copy and paste this page to a new document, fill it out, and email to BOTH:
Maureen Walsh (mwalsh@usgs.gov)
Sharon Mullen (slm22@cornell.edu)
REGISTRATION IS DUE BY 21 OCTOBER 2011
Space is limited to 30 participants