Fish screen for suction strainer

A fish screen for a suction strainer, comprising:

• at least one first plate having a central opening formed therethrough;
• a second plate;
• a helical spring having opposed first and second ends, the first end being secured to the at least one first plate and the second end being secured to the second plate, the helical spring having first, second and third portions, the first portion being positioned adjacent to, and including, the first end, the third portion being positioned adjacent to, and including, the second end, and the second portion being positioned between the first and third portions, and wherein the second portion of the helical spring has a smaller diameter than a maximum diameter of the first portion of the helical spring and a smaller diameter than a maximum diameter of the third portion of the helical spring;
• and
• a mesh bag for releasably covering and receiving the at least one first plate, the second plate and the helical spring,
• whereby the second portion of the helical spring is adapted for releasably holding a free end of a suction strainer received within an interior of the helical spring through the central opening of the at least one first plate.