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Trawling for marine life with midwater trawls provides science with a tool for studying the life in the depths of the ocean. This methodology is particularly an important tool when studying marine life at depths deeper than humans can dive on SCUBA. It is also one of the few tools whereby scientists can acquire specimens of deep water wildlife. Preparing for a midwater trawl through the Monterey Bay Trench, a net specially designed to collect life forms from the depths is properly arranged and hoisted up above the deck, then into the water behind the boat. The net will be towed behind and below the boat at depths ranging from several hundred feet to over 2000 feet. From those depths, the net is slowly brought back to the surface and hoisted up onto the deck. A special collection unit at the end of the net has any marine life that was collected. After the trawl, the net is washed with fresh water and carefully folded and packed away.