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Fish Sampling @ Coast Guard Beach in Truro

The study is to assess fish stocks in near-shore areas through a variety of methods. In this case it is a quarter mile long net. The net is "flaked" into a Zodiac then deployed by towing by another craft. Two groups of seven people will haul the net. Fish are identified, measured, counted and released. A sampling day requires three consecutive tows - anywhere from 5 to 8 hours depending apon weather conditions and size of catch.

The net extends from shore, then parallel to shore for nearly the quarter mile, then back to shore. Floats keep the net from sinking and a set of weights keeps the bottom on the ocean floor.

A synopsis of the study is always posted for the benefit of the curious.

Emily, Arlene and Bill helped out this day.

Ethan is conducting the study. If he looks overdressed for the occasion, it is because his medication for lime disease causes extreme sunburn if he is exposed to direct sunlight. This was a seven hour day on the beach with temps in the 80's.

Here Ethan and I start the tow. If the net snags during deployment I would have to take over the boat while Ethan swam to the other to release the snag. It was also necessary to time movement through the surf zone to avoid swamping either vessel. Years of surfing came in handy for Ethan as we had no problems avoiding wave faces. There was one minor snag on the third tow, but it was released by gunning the engine. The smooth deployment of a net this large is testament to the care taken when putting it in the boat.

Americorp workers help flake the net into the Zodiac. It looks easy until you realize the net is 1/4 mile long and weighs over 1,000 pounds. The building seas kept the boat moving and had to be kept in waist to shoulder depth to avoid getting pushed onto the beach - or swamped by a wave.Even when the work is hard the Americore volunteers can have a good time.

Here the net is pulled back on shore, one group at each end of the net. The ocean side is harder than the bay since the strong undertow works against you.

There's a story here. I don't always stand in the water holding a sign.

Ethan has to make two trips onto the beach in his 4 wheel vehicle to get all the equipment into place.

Some things never change. "Hey Emily. Can you run back to the parking lot to get something for us?"

Taking a short break between tows. The process takes about an hour and a half to two hours per tow. You flake the net into the boat, deploy the net, pull the net, count the catch (which was pretty meager on this day), take a ten minute recovery and start again until you've done three sets.

Taking pictures during the break.

More family pics.

The net waits on the beach for the next session.

Getting ready to leave the beach.

He's not climbing the dune. Just turning the truck around.

The process started by getting up at 5AM. That Box of Joe in my right hand will keep me going the rest of the day.