Otter (midwater) Trawl

Station: Otter Trawl / L.A. Harbor
Date: 12/02/17, 11:07 am
Conditions: 73°F, sunny, winds NNE 2 mph
Start: 33° 44' 47'' N, 118° 12' 55'' W
End: 33° 44' 22'' N 118° 13' 30'' W

We use a method called "Otter Trawling" or Midwater Trawling to collect pelagic (swimming) organisms. "Otter" refers to the rectangular boards on the net. Hydrodynamic forces act on the boards, keeping them apart and the net open.


All organisms were returned to the ocean.

  • Swimming Crab
  • Shrimp
  • Target Shrimp
  • Target Shrimp
  • Target Shrimp
  • Lizardfish (top)
  • Lizardfish (bottom)
  • White Croaker
  • Flatfish
  • California Two Spot Octopus
  • California Two Spot Octopus does not want to adult today
  • Round Stingray
  • Shovelnosed Guitarfish