Fishing Nets

Fishing nets make up part of the equipment that commercial fishermen use for catching fish. They are made of mesh that is tied in knots. The mesh is mainly made of nylon, although there are some nets made from silk and wool. These are less common today than they once were.

There are various types of fishing nets. The gillnet is the one most commonly used in the fishing industry. This is a long net anchored on both ends by means of heavy anchors they place on the ocean floor. There is a line of floats across the top ropes that keep the net afloat in the water. Fish are caught in the net as they attempt to swim through. This is the same type of net that is often called a drift net. The name comes from the manner in which is used. Instead of being fixed in one location, the net is allowed to drift on the tide. Fishermen, both commercial and recreational, also use a hand net, which is a pocket of mesh attached to a long handle. They use this to lift heavy fish into the boat.

For catching small fish for bait, such as caplin, a cast net is used. This is a small round net containing weights around the bottom edge. The fisher throws the net into the water and then pulls it tight with the ropes in the ring at the center of the net. Since this type of net is thrown from a beach, the fisher then pulls the net ashore with the small fish inside.

Chinese fishing nets are prime examples of shore operated lift nets. A large structure holds the net horizontally and then lowers it into the water. When the net is raised, it contains the catch of fish. Once the fishermen take the fish out of the net, they repeat the process.

Large fishing vessels that engage in deep-sea fishing use nets called seines. A purse seine hands vertically in the water with weights attached to the bottom and floats on the top. Some fishermen use trawls in which they drag the net along the bottom of the ocean scooping up all kinds of fish. On deck, they cull the fish throwing back what they don’t need.