This study was conducted in order to improve opening efficiency of the miniaturized small-scale net for anchovy boat seine gear to reduce the fleet size. Field experiment was performed to observe geometry of nets by catcher boats. When the distance between the two ships was 150, 300 and 450 m and the speed of towing nets was 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 kt, the vertical opening and actual opening of each part of the miniaturized small-scale net was as follows: the front part of the wing net, 6.8-9.5 m, 45-63%; the middle part of the wing net, 16.1-30.7 m, 34-65%; the entrance of the inside wing net, 21.6-41.2 m, 44-84%; the square and bosom, 17.4-34.0 m, 38-75%; the entrance of the body net, 16.5-29.4 m, 36-64%; the entrance of the bag net, 14.5-21.9 m, 70-106%; the flapper, 6.7-7.7 m, 81-83%, and the end of the bag net, 8.6-10.9 m, 64-81%. The tension of towing nets was measured to be 2,734-6,812 kg approximately, which indicates that the fleet can tow nets with 350 hp, the standard engine horse power. The fishing operation time was shortened comparing to existent net with the large-scale buoy attachment operation. It was also possible to operate the ship without fish detecting boat.

This study attempted to help determine Korean fishery policies by proposing improvement plans after examining the current regulations, fishing vessels, fishing gear and fishing methods of the middle sized trawl fishery in the East Sea for targeting only squid. In general, the size, engine horse power, and net length of the middle sized trawlers are between 50 and 60 GT, 1,200 and 1,600 PS, and approximately 165 m with four seamed trawl nets, respectively. While a jigging vessel attracted squids using lights, the trawler approached a jigging vessel. The trawler let the jigging vessel know its decision for fishing, and then jigging vessel rolled up jigs. The net of the trawler was casted at 45 degrees between the bow and the stern of the jigging vessel. Once the trawler towed close to the stern of the jigging vessel upon its passing of the jigging vessel, the bow of the trawler turned 45 degrees left again. Then, squid aggregations were entered into the net. When the cod end was passed a light vessel, the trawler hoisted the net up to the otter board. Then the trawler turned 180 degrees. It repeated three to five times of fishing operations as the previous method. We recommend that the regulations allow nineteen side trawlers to catch like stern trawler, as well as the cooperative trawler and jigging vessel operations.