Apparatus for exclusion of debris and by-catch from bottom trawls

摘要

A shrimp trawl net excluder device which excludes debris and turtle size sea creatures, fin-fish and other such marine life while allowing the desired shrimp catch to be retained. A hoop is provided in association with or adapted to such hard framed excluder devices, having a spoiler plate which directs the flow of water directly into the excluder grating forming a fast moving current which serves as a water curtain. The water curtain allows debris, fin-fish, and other unwanted sea creatures to pass unobstructed through an unobstructed aperture in the net, located directly above the excluder, thus eliminating the need for a net flap or gate apparatus.