RESEARCH VESSEL 
ANNA 
 
Comprehensive, long-term fisheries monitoring 
 
The Ecological Monitoring Trawl Survey conducted by the Research Vessel Anna is one of the longest uninterrupted fisheries-independent shrimp trawl surveys on the eastern U.S. Coast. Since 1976, personnel 
 
with the Coastal Resources Division have conducted this survey using standardized gear and tow times at fixed sites. The objective is to provide comprehensive, long-term data for finfish, invertebrates and water quality. 
 
1966 
YEAR BUILT 
34 
NET TONS 
 
60 FEET IN LENGTH 18 FOOT BEAM 6 FOOT DRAFT 
 
VESSEL BASICS 
 
SAMPLE SITES 
37 
 
SOUNDS SAMPLED 
6 
 
YEARS SERVICE 
52 
 
HISTORY OF THE R/V ANNA 
The R/V Anna was constructed as a commercial fishing vessel on the bank of the Mackay River in Glynn County by brothers Johnny and Howard Wilson in 1966 and named for their mother. After two fishing seasons, the state acquired the Anna in 1968 for research purposes. In 1970, the Anna found her niche and was used for a multi-year study of Georgia's estuarine systems and species. She has been a leading research vessel on Georgia's coast ever since. 
Highlights about the R/V Anna 
 
SURVEY WORK 
 
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 
 
BUILDING MATERIALS 
 
The Anna primarily samples for shrimp and blue crab, but also samples finfish. 
MONTHLY SAMPLES 
 
SHRIMPING IS WORTH MORE THAN $11 MILLION ANNUALLY IN GEORGIA. 
FISH FOR TOMORROW 
 
Constructed from 
LIVE OAK 
cypress and heart-pine 
 
Did you know 
Wood from Brunswick's historic Oglethorpe Hotel was used in the Anna's construction after the hotel's demolition in 1958. 
 
Research conducted by the Anna plays a major role in 
CONSERVATION by helping resources managers make better decisions about stock management. 
 
2 MILLION specimens have been collected aboard the Anna in its lifetime. 
 
SAMPLING PROCESS 
 
A 40-foot net is dragged at each station for 15 minutes. After the net is brought in, the catch is culled. Species are separated and data are recorded. 
 
22,000 trawls have been conducted aboard the Anna since 1976, collecting 250+ species. a new era 
The Anna is slated for replacement in spring 2020, and a vessel almost identical to the one seen here will take its place. The new 54-foot, fiberglass-hull boat will continue the Anna's mission. 
 
CoastalGaDNR.org