Fishing boats come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for specific types of fishing and environments. Large fishing boats, in particular, are built to withstand rough seas and carry a significant amount of catch. Below are some of the common types of large fishing boats used by commercial fishermen around the world.
Trawlers are sturdy vessels equipped with nets or trawls that are dragged along the ocean floor to catch fish. They are known for their large storage areas and can stay at sea for extended periods of time. Longliners, on the other hand, use a long line with multiple hooks to catch fish such as tuna and swordfish. These boats are often equipped with specialized equipment to handle the heavy gear.
Purse seiners are large fishing boats that use a circular net called a purse seine to encircle schools of fish. Once the net is full, it is drawn closed at the bottom, trapping the fish inside. These boats are commonly used for catching tuna and other pelagic species. Factory ships are another type of large fishing vessel that are equipped with onboard processing facilities. They can process and freeze the catch right on board, allowing for longer fishing trips and fresher fish when they reach shore.
Trawler
A trawler is a type of fishing boat that is typically used for commercial fishing. These boats are equipped with a large net, known as a trawl, that is dragged along the sea floor or through the water to catch fish.
Main Characteristics:
- Trawlers are usually larger in size compared to other types of fishing boats.
- They have a powerful engine for towing the heavy trawl net.
- Many trawlers have onboard processing facilities to store and prepare the catch.
Trawlers can operate in both deep and shallow waters, making them versatile for different types of fishing operations. They are commonly used to catch fish such as cod, haddock, and shrimp.
Purse Seiner
A purse seiner is a type of large fishing boat that is used in commercial fishing to catch fish in large quantities. This type of boat is equipped with a large net, called a purse seine, which is used to encircle schools of fish. Once the fish are enclosed in the net, the bottom of the net is drawn closed, forming a purse-like shape to prevent the fish from escaping.
Purse seiners are commonly used to catch species of fish that swim in schools near the surface, such as tuna and herring. The net is typically set out by a smaller boat, called a skiff, and then the purse seiner circles around the school of fish to close the net. Once the fish are captured, they are brought on board the boat for processing and storage.
Overall, purse seiners are an efficient way to catch large quantities of fish in a short amount of time. However, there are concerns about the impact of purse seining on marine ecosystems and non-target species, as well as issues related to overfishing and bycatch.
Longliner
A longliner is a type of large fishing boat designed to catch fish using long lines, which are lines with baited hooks attached at intervals. These boats are typically used for commercial fishing operations targeting species such as tuna, swordfish, and halibut.
Characteristics of a Longliner:
Longliners are usually equipped with specialized equipment such as a hydraulic system for setting and hauling in long lines, storage tanks for keeping the catch fresh, and a processing area to prepare the fish for market.
| Length: 50-100 feet | Capacity: 20-50 tons of fish |
| Speed: 10-15 knots | Crew: 10-20 crew members |
Gillnetter
A gillnetter is a type of fishing vessel that uses gillnets to catch fish. These nets are vertical panels of netting that hang in the water and are designed to entangle fish by their gills. Gillnetters can vary in size, with some smaller vessels used for inshore fishing and larger vessels used for offshore operations.
| Length: | 20-70 feet |
| Propulsion: | Single or multiple engines |
| Crew: | 1-5 crew members |
| Features: | Deck space for laying out and mending nets, hydraulic winches for hauling in nets, refrigeration systems for storing catch |
Factory Ship
A factory ship is a large vessel equipped with processing facilities for fish such as freezing, canning, and packing. These ships are used for industrial-scale fishing operations, where the catch is processed on board instead of being brought to shore. This allows for a higher level of efficiency and production, as the fish can be processed immediately after they are caught.
Factory ships are often used in deep-sea fishing operations where traditional shore-based processing facilities are not available. They typically have large storage areas for storing the catch and processing plants that can handle large volumes of fish. These ships are essential for meeting the demands of the global seafood market and providing a steady supply of fish products to consumers worldwide.
Potter
The Potter is a type of large fishing boat that is commonly used for commercial fishing activities. It is characterized by its long, narrow design which allows it to navigate through the open sea with ease. Potters are often equipped with specialized fishing equipment such as nets, traps, and lines to catch a variety of fish species.
Features:
- Long, narrow design
- Equipped with specialized fishing equipment
- Can navigate through open sea
Drifter
A drifter is a type of large fishing boat commonly used for catching fish that swim close to the surface of the water, such as herring and mackerel. These boats are typically smaller than trawlers and seiners, but larger than longliners.
Main Characteristics:
– Drifters are equipped with a large net, known as a drift net, which is used to catch fish as the boat moves along the water.
Usage:
– Drifters are often used in pair trawling, where two boats work together to drag the net between them and catch fish in larger quantities.
Seiner
A seiner is a type of large fishing boat designed for catching fish in large schools. These vessels are equipped with a large net, known as a seine, which is deployed around the fish and then pulled in to capture them. Seiners are commonly used for catching pelagic species, such as tuna, herring, and mackerel.
Line Vessel
A line vessel is a type of large fishing boat commonly used for longline fishing. This type of boat is designed specifically for deploying and retrieving longlines, which are fishing lines with multiple hooks attached.
Line vessels typically have a spacious deck area where the longlines can be set and hauled in. They are equipped with hydraulic or mechanical systems to assist with the process of setting and retrieving the lines, which can be quite labor-intensive.
These boats are often equipped with refrigerated holds to store the catch in optimal conditions until it can be offloaded at port. Line vessels are used to target a variety of fish species, including tuna, swordfish, and halibut.
Overall, line vessels play a crucial role in commercial fishing operations, especially for targeting high-value species that are best caught using longline gear.
Tuna Boat
Tuna boats are specially designed vessels used for catching tuna fish. These boats are equipped with advanced fishing technology, such as sonar equipment and fish finders, to locate schools of tuna.
One common type of tuna boat is the purse seiner, which uses a large net to encircle a school of tuna before “pursing” the bottom of the net to capture the fish. Another type is the longliner, which uses a long line with baited hooks to catch tuna.
Tuna boats are often equipped with refrigeration systems to preserve the catch and ensure the tuna remains fresh until it reaches shore. Some tuna boats also have processing facilities on board to clean and prepare the fish for sale.
Crabber
A crabber is a type of large fishing boat specifically designed and used for catching crabs. These vessels are equipped with traps or pots that are lowered into the water to attract and capture crabs. The traps are then hauled up onto the boat, and the crabs are sorted and stored for transport back to shore.
Crabbers are typically built with a large open deck space to accommodate the traps and crew members working to collect the crabs. They often feature hydraulically operated winches and machinery to assist in lifting heavy traps out of the water. Some crabbers also have specialized storage tanks or containers to keep the crabs alive and fresh until they can be brought to market.
These fishing boats are commonly used in regions where crabbing is a significant industry, such as the Pacific Northwest in the United States and parts of Canada. Crabbers play a crucial role in supplying fresh crab meat to seafood markets and restaurants around the world.
Scalloper
A scalloper is a type of large fishing boat specifically designed for catching scallops. These vessels are equipped with specialized gear such as dredges or rakes that are used to scoop the scallops off the ocean floor.
Features of a Scalloper:
- Large deck space for handling catches
- Powerful winches and gear for dredging
- Onboard storage facilities for keeping the scallops fresh
Scallopers are essential for the commercial scallop fishing industry, as they allow fishermen to efficiently harvest scallops in large quantities. These boats are often equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems to ensure the safety of the crew while out at sea.