'Chopsticks': Investigations of the Pusher-Head Trawl

摘要

In 1975, the United States experienced a large influx of Vietnamese refugees into the country as a result of the Vietnam conflict. Since the majority of those refugees fished commercially in Vietnam, they brought with them much experience and a fishing method new to the United States. This fishing method, the pusher-head trawl, has been locally referred to as 'chopsticks'. Recently, much controversy has existed concerning the use of the 'chopsticks' rig to catch shrimp. That controversy resulted in 1984 legislation banning 'chopsticks' in state waters of Louisiana. Similar pressure in Mississippi resulted in ordinances limiting net mouth circumference. As of August 1985, state regulations required that vessels operating with 'chopsticks' have a foot rope length of sixty (60) feet or less, a head rope length of fifty (50) feet or less, and a maximum wing height (height of net along 'chopsticks' pole) of twelve (12) feet. Complaints by users of the 'chopsticks' technique stated that the twelve (12) foot tie-off point cause steering problems, sometimes resulting in broken poles.