3.1 The advantages of conical tow nets are as follows:

3.1.1 They are relatively inexpensive, easy to construct, and highly versatile in a variety of surface waters.

3.1.2 They can be used from a small powered boat with a minimum of auxiliary equipment.

3.1.3 They provide a simple means by which to collect qualitative samples of macro- and micro-plankton.

3.1.4 They can be adapted with a flowmeter to collect semiquantitative samples of macro- and micro-plankton.

3.2 The disadvantages of conical tow nets are as follows:

3.2.1 They are effective only where drawn through a stratum of water having considerable thickness. They are not suitable for collecting samples from a small or restricted region.

3.2.2 They are not suitable for collections in very shallow water.

3.2.3 They collect only qualitative samples, or semiquantitative samples when used with a flowmeter.

3.2.4 Clogging of the net by extraneous materials, such as floating vascular plants or debris can cause erroneous results.

3.2.5 If discrete depths are sampled using a horizontal tow, the sample can be contaminated with organisms from other depths during the deployment and retrieval of the samples.

3.3 There are several special considerations that shall be observed when using conical tow nets. They are as follows:

3.3.1 The conical net samplers are designed to be towed at speeds less than 3 knots; however, greater speeds have been used for the larger nets with a concomitant increase in capture.

3.3.2 Although there is a tendency to use the smallest mesh size available, there is the liability of small mesh sizes reducing the collection efficiency and increasing equipment failure through tearing.

3.3.3 If discrete depth samples are required, an opening and closing net device should be installed on the sampler.

3.3.4 The nets should be washed frequently and inspected for pin-size holes, tears, net deterioration, and other anomalies.

3.3.5 Following use, wet nets should be suspended full length in air and in subdued light and allowed to dry.