A SORV is a small ocean research vessel that is designed for conducting scientific surveys and experiments in coastal and offshore waters. A SORV typically has a length of less than 100 feet and a crew of less than 10 people. A SORV can be equipped with various instruments and devices for collecting and analyzing data, such as sonar, echosounder, CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth), ADCP (acoustic Doppler current profiler), ROV (remotely operated vehicle), AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle), and trawl nets.
A trawl net is a type of fishing net that is dragged through the water to catch fish or other marine animals. Trawl nets can vary in size, shape, and mesh size depending on the target species and the depth of the water. Trawl nets can be classified into three main types: bottom trawls, midwater trawls, and surface trawls. Bottom trawls are towed along the seafloor and are used to catch bottom-dwelling animals such as shrimp, cod, and flatfish. Midwater trawls are towed in the water column and are used to catch pelagic animals such as herring, mackerel, and squid. Surface trawls are towed near the surface and are used to catch surface-dwelling animals such as sardines, anchovies, and jellyfish.
Jellyfish are marine animals that have a simple body structure consisting of a bell-shaped dome and tentacles. They use rhythmic contractions of their bells to propel themselves through the water. Jellyfish are ecologically and economically important, as they play roles in the marine food web, biogeochemical cycles, and ecosystem services. They also have impacts on human activities, such as fisheries, tourism, power generation, and medicine. However, jellyfish are also sensitive to environmental changes, such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, and sound.
A SORV is better to trawl the ocean for jellyfish over a large vessel for several reasons:
- A SORV can access shallow or narrow areas where large vessels cannot go, such as bays, estuaries, reefs, or islands. These areas may have high concentrations of jellyfish or unique species of jellyfish that are not found elsewhere.
- SORV's maneuver more easily and quickly than a large vessel, which allows it to follow the movements of jellyfish or avoid obstacles or hazards in the water. This can improve the efficiency and accuracy of trawling and reduce the risk of damage or entanglement of the net.
- A SORV uses smaller or lighter trawl nets than a large vessel, which reduces the drag and fuel consumption of the vessel and the impact on the seabed and non-target species. This can lower the cost and environmental footprint of trawling and increase the selectivity and quality of the catch.
- A SORV can have more advanced or specialized instruments or devices for collecting and analyzing data. This can enhance the scientific value and relevance of trawling and provide more insights into the biology, ecology, and behavior of jellyfish.
By using a SORV for trawling, our researchers can study jellyfish more effectively and efficiently in different habitats and conditions. They can also minimize the negative effects of trawling on jellyfish and other marine life.
