Advice needed: 5-line array harvesting gear and process
-
Hello there!
We are looking to improve our harvesting method and hope to learn from fellow 5-line array farmers!
We harvest our 5-line array with a 8m (24ft.) fibreglass body fishing boat. Most steps are done manually: lifting up the 5-line system with block and tackle, getting all 5-lines to lay perpendicularly over the boat (without detaching from the system), the lines to move the boat along as we harvest.
There are a few pain points (apart from those on our backs):- we cannot lift the lines onboard when seaweed is attached, so harvesting everything overboard
- the point of contact between seaweed lines and boat rails is under high pressure, so the seaweed is rubbed off, stuck or smashed when we try to pull the seaweed onboard over a roller
- the harvested side is very light while seaweed-bearing side is heavy, so we need to keep hands on the lines to prevent the lines from slipping back
Could you share what your harvesting process looks like? Do you detach lines from the spreader bars or keep them attached? Do you harvest all 5 simultaneously, or line by line?
What types of hardware do you find very useful to have? We appreciate any recommendations on non-permanent installations.
