Rhode Island Sea Grant鈥檚 popular commercial trawl trips for the public aboard the 溏心vlog免费B站 Fisheries鈥� vessel Cap鈥檔 Bert take place Saturday, September 25. The first is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and the second from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Bottom trawling collects fish in a net dragged along the seabed. Participants will get to see it in action and help sort the catch鈥攅verything from flounder and striped bass to the more unusual sea robins, mantis shrimp, sponges, and small sharks. The trip is supervised by David Beutel, Rhode Island Sea Grant fisheries extension specialist and former commercial fisherman. Surplus fish are donated to the North Kingstown Food Pantry.
The Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) has sponsored several trawl trips in the past. 鈥淲e have everyone from experienced, longtime fishermen to beginners who go on the trawls. We have many repeats who have come back for five years in row,鈥� says Steve Medeiros, RISAA president.
鈥淓verybody gets to spend time in the pilothouse with the captain, who explains how everything works. The biggest excitement is when the net comes up and everyone gets to see the sea life dropped on the deck.鈥�
The trip is $25, and reservations are required. Call David Beutel at (401) 874-7152. Boots or sneakers are recommended (no sandals please). Recommended for adults and teenagers.
The trawl trips are part of Coastweeks 2004, the annual nationwide celebration of the coast. In Rhode Island, Coastweeks is sponsored by R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council and Rhode Island Sea Grant. Visit http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/Coastweeks or call (401) 874-6842 for more information.