Commercial Fishing Methods An Introduction To Vessels And Gears
Commercial Fishing Methods: An Introduction to Vessels and Gears
What is Commercial Fishing?
Commercial fishing is a way of harvesting aquatic species from the ocean or other bodies of water. This can include species such as fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. It is a large industry that employs millions of people around the world, and it is a major source of food for many countries. Commercial fishing is regulated by the government in many countries, and it is often managed through fisheries management systems that are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of fish stocks.
Types of Commercial Fishing Vessels
Commercial fishing vessels come in many shapes and sizes, depending on what type of fishing is being done. Generally, commercial fishing vessels are divided into three main categories: trawlers, purse seiners, and gillnetters. Each of these vessels has different characteristics and is designed for different types of fishing.
Trawlers
Trawlers are large, motor-powered vessels that use nets to catch fish. The nets are usually towed behind the boat, allowing the vessel to move quickly through the water and capture large amounts of fish in a single pass. Trawlers are most commonly used for bottom trawling, which involves dragging nets along the seafloor to capture species like cod, haddock, and flounder.
Purse Seiners
Purse seiners are similar to trawlers in that they also use nets to catch fish, but they are typically smaller vessels and the nets are typically deployed from the sides of the boat, rather than from the back. The nets are "pursed" or drawn closed at the bottom, trapping the fish inside. Purse seiners are most commonly used for midwater trawling, which involves catching fish that are in the midwater column, such as tuna and mackerel.
Gillnetters
Gillnetters are smaller vessels that use gillnets to catch fish. The nets are hung in the water and are designed to entangle the gills of fish that swim through them. Gillnets are typically deployed in coastal waters and estuaries, and they are most commonly used to catch salmon, herring, and other species that are found in such areas. They are also used to target specific species, such as bluefin tuna.
Types of Fishing Gears
In addition to the vessels used for commercial fishing, there are also various types of fishing gears that are used to catch fish. These include trawl nets, longlines, gillnets, and traps. Each type of gear has its own advantages and disadvantages, and some are better suited for certain types of fishing than others.
Trawl Nets
Trawl nets are large nets that are towed behind a boat and are used to catch fish that are near the ocean floor. The nets are designed to have large openings and to be dragged along the seafloor, allowing them to capture large amounts of fish in a single pass. Trawl nets are most commonly used for bottom trawling, but they can also be used for midwater trawling.
Longlines
Longlines are lines of baited hooks that are set in the water and are used to catch fish that are swimming near the surface. The lines can be several miles long and can have hundreds or even thousands of hooks attached. Longlines are most commonly used for deep-water species, such as tuna and swordfish, but they can also be used for shallow-water species such as cod and haddock.
Gillnets
Gillnets are nets that are hung in the water and are designed to entangle the gills of fish that swim through them. They are typically deployed in coastal waters and estuaries, and they are commonly used to target salmon, herring, and other species that are found in such areas. They can also be used to target specific species, such as bluefin tuna.
Traps
Traps are cages or baskets that are set in the water and are designed to capture fish that swim into them. Traps are most commonly used to catch species such as lobsters and crabs, but they can also be used for other species such as octopus and squid. Traps are typically deployed in shallow waters, but they can also be used in deeper waters.
Conclusion
Commercial fishing is an important industry that employs millions of people around the world and provides a major source of food for many countries. There are many types of fishing vessels and fishing gears that are used for commercial fishing, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the different types of vessels and gears can help fishermen to choose the right equipment for their needs.
