The fishermen of South Coast are now becoming net maker as they think that this will make waves with shrimp trawlers angling to save fuel this spring. Fisherman Abby Haynes said that the net making is laborious but rewarding. She said that net making is equal parts art and science.
Another fisherman Gregory said that there is something noticeably missing from the mounds of material: Knots. The net work uses an advanced braiding process. The knotless webbing makes for less drag under water. Gregory expects that will be the product’s biggest selling point as diesel fuel approaches $4 a gallon.
South Coast Nets gathers input from the area’s top trawlers, such as Brookings shrimper Randy Wenbourne, whose boat Ms. Pacific is sporting Gregory’s product. Wenbourne said the fuel savings are noticeable. Certainly, the cost of fuel has been weighing on fishermen’s minds.
