April 2021 - Seining and Trawling
There are numerous methods for collecting fish. Two of the most popular, seining and trawling, are used by scientists, researchers, and commercial fishers for consumption and study.
Seining involves dragging a large net called a seine (from the Ancient Greek word sagḗnē, meaning “dragnet”) through the water in a horseshoe pattern. The seine is equipped with two poles on each end, as well as weights on its bottom edge and buoys on top. A seine can be employed both from the shore or from a boat. According to USHarbors.com, seining for fish is a millennia-old activity, with the original nets “made from natural materials” such as “flax, reeds, grasses and other threadlike plant[s].”
Trawling is similar to seining in that it also uses a net. The difference, however, is one of scope: because trawling typically involves deploying a net behind one or more boats, it is far less localized than seining. Trawling is more effective at capturing larger species and a more diverse sample of the broader fish community in a water column.
Notable Dates in April
April 1 — April Fools Day. The consensus day for hoaxes, pranks, and practical jokes, April Fools is celebrated in many countries around the world. This article at History.com speculates as to the origins of the day.
April 7 — In the third and final reading in the series Sea Story Time: Marine Science Through Storybooks, UD associate professor Danielle Dixson will read her book “A Clownfish’s Home Gets into Hot Water.” Click here to learn more and to register.
April 22 — Earth Day. First established in 1970, Earth Day celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, with activities and events demonstrating support for environmental protection. To learn more, visit the official Earth Day site at www.earthday.org
April 30 — Arbor Day. Serving as a time when people are encouraged to plant trees, Arbor Day sees many communities and organizations taking part in tree-planting, litter pickup, and other events. Learn more about the holiday at Arbor Day Foundation.