Report and pictures by Quentin Bates
A Norwegian demersal trawler is cutting operating costs substantially by using pelagic trawl doors off the bottom to spread the gear and using a weight to keep the bridle ends down.
As well as cutting costs and drag, the method also reduces seabed damage as the doors are not in contact with the bottom.
Skipper Pål Roaldsnes of Stornes fishes a combination of a semi-pelagic trawl and a pair of Thyborøn type 15VF pelagic doors and says he is fishing as effectively as before, but with lower costs.
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