Beam trawl

             The beam trawl was the forerunner of all trawl gear designs known today.  Its main feature is a beam whose purpose is to spread the netting.  Most beams are made of iron and are between two to four meters long.  Sometimes a heavy beam is supported by steel shoes at each end which run over the sea bed.  A ground rope and a head rope are joined together to the cement ski that works as a bobbin.  The weigh of the cement ski is about 10 to 15 kilograms for small-size beam and about 40 to 45 kg. for big size beam trawl.  The skies are connected with the beam by a length of chain.  The towing bridle consists of two or three ropes, one from each shoe and one from the center of the beam.  These come together and are shackled directly to the towing warp.  The principal catch of beam trawl are shrimps, therefore the mesh size is relatively small.  The mesh size of beam trawl also depends on the catch.

             Setting: On arrival at the fishing ground, the beam trawls are hoisted on the booms which are then swung out.  The same method is used for recovery.  The operation is undertaken while the fishing boat sail on a straight course.

             Hauling: When hauling, the net is heaved in until it is at the boom tips.  The cod-end is taken by the line attached to the cod-end strap, and the catch is emptied out directly.

             Fishing grounds of beam trawl are in shallow waters with muddy bottom.  This kind of fishing is very common in the south of Thailand such as Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Surat Thani, Chumporn. Fishing goes on throughout the year.