New Trap for Loch Ness Monster

25-Apr-2001

A Swedish explorer who specializes in hunting unusual

An alleged underwater sighting
species
has invented a special trap for the Loch Ness monster. Jan
Sundberg and his Global Underwater Research Team (GUST)
plan to use multi-beam sonar equipment and an acoustic
underwater camera to create a 3-D image of the loch's
depths. Their Nessie trap is 23 feet long and over 16 feet in
circumference.
"The sonar has previously only been used in the sea by scientists mapping the ocean and looking for volcanoes and
earthquake sites," says Sundberg. "This is the first time it will
have been used in freshwater. If there is a family of monsters
or animals down there this sonar will find them."
Still, the odds of trapping the creature are small. As Sundberg
says, "It's a big lake and a small trap." If they do find
something, they will have DNA testing done on samples of its
flesh at a British university and release the creature back into
the loch.
"No harm will be done, you will still have it. We will not take it
back to Sweden, even though we would like to."
Loch Ness has been closed to researchers until recently due
to restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of foot-and-
mouth disease. Scottish National Heritage has drawn up a
voluntary code to prevent environmental damage caused by
monster hunters and SBB concerts. They have asked Sundberg to make his
Nessie trap big enough to allow seals and otters to escape.