Deep sea fishing nets come in a variety of types, each designed for specific purposes and environments.
Gillnets are commonly used in deep sea fishing to catch fish by entangling them in a net. These nets are meshed and suspended vertically in the water, allowing fish to swim into them before becoming trapped.
Trammel nets are another type of fishing net used in deep sea environments. These nets have three layers of netting – two outer layers with a fine mesh and a middle layer with a larger mesh. This design helps to catch fish of various sizes while reducing bycatch.
Trawl Nets
Trawl nets are one of the most common types of deep-sea fishing nets used by commercial fishermen. These nets are designed to be dragged along the bottom of the ocean floor or through the water column to catch fish and other marine species.
Types of Trawl Nets:
- Bottom Trawl Nets: These nets are specifically designed to be dragged along the bottom of the ocean floor to catch fish that dwell near the seabed.
- Midwater Trawl Nets: These nets are used to catch fish that swim in the middle of the water column, away from the ocean floor.
Trawl nets consist of a large funnel-shaped net with a wide mouth opening and fine mesh netting that narrows down towards the end. The bottom of the net usually has weights attached to keep it grounded and ensure that it sweeps along the sea bottom effectively.
Commercial trawl nets can vary in size and design depending on the target species and the fishing operation. Despite their effectiveness in catching a large quantity of fish, trawl nets have also been associated with environmental concerns such as bycatch and habitat destruction.
Purse Seine Nets
- Purse seine nets are large nets used by commercial fishermen to catch schools of fish close to the surface.
- These nets are usually set by two boats, which encircle the fish with the net, then draw the bottom of the net closed like a purse to trap the fish.
- Purse seine nets are often used to catch pelagic species such as tuna, herring, and mackerel.
- Once the fish are trapped inside the net, they are hauled aboard the boat and stored in a holding tank for transport to shore.
- These nets can be hundreds of meters long and are typically made of nylon or other strong synthetic fibers.
Gill Nets
Gill nets are a type of fishing net that are designed to entangle fish by their gills as they swim through the mesh. These nets are typically made from monofilament nylon or other synthetic materials, and are suspended vertically in the water column.
How Gill Nets Work
As fish swim through the mesh of a gill net, they become entangled by their gills, preventing them from swimming further and leading to their capture. The mesh size of the net is carefully selected to target specific sizes and species of fish.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Effective at targeting specific species | Can result in bycatch of non-target species |
| Relatively simple and inexpensive to use | May cause harm to marine mammals or birds if not properly managed |
Longline Fishing Nets
Longline fishing nets are used by commercial fishermen to catch fish such as tuna, swordfish, and halibut. These nets consist of a main fishing line that can stretch for miles, with smaller lines attached at intervals that have baited hooks. This method allows fishermen to catch a large number of fish at once.
The Benefits of Longline Fishing Nets
One of the main benefits of longline fishing nets is that they allow fishermen to target specific species of fish. This can help reduce bycatch, or the unintentional catch of non-targeted species. Additionally, longline fishing nets are efficient and can yield a high catch rate compared to other types of fishing gear.
Environmental Impact of Longline Fishing Nets
Despite their effectiveness, longline fishing nets can have negative environmental impacts. They can accidentally catch endangered species, including sea turtles and seabirds. Additionally, lost or abandoned longline gear can continue to catch fish indiscriminately, leading to overfishing and habitat destruction.
Cast Nets
Cast nets are circular nets with small weights distributed around the edge. They are thrown by hand in a circular motion to trap fish within the net. These nets are typically used for catching baitfish, such as mullet, herring, and shrimp.
Types of Cast Nets:
- Standard Cast Net: This basic type of cast net is popular among anglers for its simplicity and effectiveness.
- Mulit-Filament Cast Net: Made with multiple strands of material, these nets are more durable and have a higher chance of trapping fish.
Surrounding Nets
Surrounding nets, also known as purse seiners, are large nets used by commercial fishermen to catch schools of fish in deep water. These nets are typically set in a circular pattern around a school of fish, then drawn together at the bottom to enclose the fish.
This type of fishing net is highly effective in catching large quantities of fish at once, making it a popular choice for commercial fishing operations. Surrounding nets are often used to catch pelagic fish species such as tuna, mackerel, and sardines.
Drift Nets
Drift nets are large nets that are allowed to drift freely in the water column, capturing fish that swim into them. These nets can be as long as several kilometers and are typically made of nylon or other synthetic materials. Drift nets are commonly used for catching pelagic fish species such as tuna, mackerel, and squid.
Operation
Drift nets are set out from a fishing vessel and then allowed to drift with the currents. The nets are usually equipped with floats along the top and weights along the bottom to keep them vertical in the water. Fish that swim into the net become entangled in the mesh, making them easy to haul in when the net is retrieved.
Drive-In Nets
Drive-in nets are a type of deep sea fishing net that is designed to be towed or driven into the water by a boat. These nets typically have a large opening at the front to scoop up fish as the boat moves forward. Once the net is filled with fish, it is then hauled back onto the boat for the catch to be collected.
Features of Drive-In Nets
Drive-in nets are often made of strong and durable materials such as nylon or polyethylene to withstand the forces of the water and the weight of the catch. They are typically equipped with floats along the top edge to keep the net buoyant and to help it stay open while in the water. Some drive-in nets may also have weights along the bottom edge to keep the net submerged at the desired depth.
| Pros | Cons |
| Efficient for catching a large quantity of fish at once | May require a larger boat and more manpower to operate |
| Good for targeting fish species that swim close to the surface | Can be more expensive than other types of fishing nets |
| Allows for a quicker collection of the catch | May have a higher risk of bycatch if not properly managed |
Trident Nets
Trident nets are a type of deep sea fishing nets that feature three arms extending from a central point. These nets are designed to cover a large area when deployed in the ocean, making them ideal for catching a wide variety of fish species. The three arms of the trident net help to corral fish into the central collection point, increasing the efficiency of the fishing operation. Trident nets are commonly used by commercial fishing vessels due to their effectiveness in catching large quantities of fish. Additionally, these nets are durable and can withstand the harsh conditions of deep sea fishing, making them a popular choice among fishermen.
Dip Nets
Dip nets are a type of fishing net that is typically hand-held and used to scoop fish out of the water. They are commonly used for smaller species of fish or for catching fish in shallow waters. The netting material is usually made of nylon or polyester, and the frame can be made of materials such as wood, plastic, or metal. Dip nets are versatile and easy to use, making them a popular choice for recreational fishermen and anglers.