A beam trawl 1 comprises a beam 2 having spacer elements 4, 5 for maintaining the beam at a particular distance from the seafloor whilst being towed, the spacers being in the form of wheels 5 provided at the ends of the beam and a wheel 4 provided in the centre of the beam. Preferably the beam 2 is v-shaped, comprising diverging arms 2a, 2b defining an angle α of 160-180° at the centre of the beam. The centre wheel 4 is preferably mounted on a cross piece 3 extending forwardly of the beam 2 in the towing direction. The wheels 4, 5 preferably have the same diameter, and the beam preferably has a pointed leading edge when viewed in profile. The end wheels 5 are preferably rotatably attached to shafts 8 mounted on vertical plates 7 provided at the ends of the beam, with the axes of the shafts 8 being disposed beneath the axis of the beam. The wheeled beam is intended to reduce contact between the beam and the seafloor in order to reduce damage to the seafloor, and to reduce towing resistance which reduces fuel required to tow the beam.
