REGIONAL MARITIME UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

M.A. PORTS AND SHIPPING ADMINISTRATION

MARITIME ADMINISTRATION II

Lecturer: Dr. John York Abaidoo

Fishing Methods.

Victor Ose Moses

Index Number: MPS0005321

1st April 2022

 METHODS WE USE IN FISHING
Introduction
Fishing methods are techniques used for catching fish. The term “fish” may also
include other aquatic animals such as molluscs (shellfish, squid, octopus) and other
edible marine invertebrates.
The methods we use for catching fish include; hand-gathering, spear-fishing,
different techniques of netting, caging and line-fishing.
Recreational, commercial and artisanal fishermen use different methods, and also,
sometimes, the same methods. Recreational Fishermen fish for pleasure or sport,
Commercial Fishermen fish for profits, while Artisanal Fishermen use traditional low-
tech methods for survival in developing countries and as a cultural heritage in other
countries.
There is a link between a fishing method and the knowledge about the behaviour of
the target species. This behaviour include migration, foraging and habitat. The
effective use of a particular fishing method mostly depends on this additional
knowledge and is also dictated mainly by the behaviour of the target species.
Fishing methods are mainly associated with the fishing equipment (gear) used. This
means that a particular fishing method refers to the manner in which the fishing
gear is used during fishing. There are many different methods of fishing, but I will
only discuss three methods in this report.

TRAWLING
Trawling is a method of fishing which involves pulling a large fishing net through the
water behind one or more vessels. The net used for trawling is called a trawl. The
vessels that are used for trawling are called Trawlers. Fishing trawlers vary in size
from small open boats with as low as 30 kW engines to large factory trawlers with
over 10,000 kW engines. Trawling can be carried out by one trawler or by two
trawlers fishing together (pair trawling). Trawls can also be towed in multiples of
two or more trawls with long arms (or booms), extending out from each side of the
vessel to allow the trawls to fully open. Some trawlers have a ramp at the stern of
the vessel to set and retrieve the trawl, others retrieve from the side of the vessel.
Trawling is one of the most common methods of commercial fishing worldwide, and
mostly used for commercial purpose due to its efficiency in catching large numbers
of fish at the same time. Trawling is also used for scientific sampling or survey
purposes.
Trawl nets differ by their mesh size and are shaped like a cone or funnel with a wide
opening and a narrow closed-end where fish are collected. Trawls can be towed at
various depths, which classifies trawling into two types; mid-water trawling and
bottom trawling. Both midwater and bottom trawls use otter boards (trawl doors) to
keep the mouth of the trawl open.
Midwater trawling (also known as pelagic trawling) targets species of fish that are in
the mid-water or upper water column of the ocean. The trawls used for mid-water or
pelagic trawling are generally much larger than bottom trawls. The size of mid-water
trawl nets varies, however there are minimum mesh size restrictions in place by
some coastal states to prevent catching juvenile fish sizes to control fish population.
This method is generally used to catch targeted species. However, different species
of fish are sometimes caught in the process. Some target species with this trawling
method are mackerel, sardines, redbait, herring, hoki, etc.
Midwater trawls may incorporate acoustic technology to tell the trawler Captain the
position of the trawl in the water column, the opening/spread of the trawl and the
volume of fish entering the net.
Environmental impact with mid-water trawling method includes by-catch (accidental
catching) of non-targeted and/or juvenile fish which impacts the commercial
population of a specific species of fish. Midwater trawling is more environmentally
friendly, unlike bottom trawling, the trawl does not come in contact with the sea
floor hence, it is not involved in the damage of marine habitat.
Bottom trawling (also known as demersal trawling) involves towing the trawl along
or close to the sea floor. Bottom trawling is a widely used industrial fishing method
in which the trawl is dragged across the seafloor, using heavy weights to keep the
trawl close to, or on the seafloor, scooping up everything in its path, or skims the
seabed and encourages species such as prawns living on the sea floor to come up
into the trawl mouth. Bottom trawls, which have smaller mesh sizes than mid-water
trawls, are used to catch targeted species that live on or near the sea floor, such as
prawns, flat fish, grenadier, etc.
Environmental impacts associated with bottom trawling includes;
- Catching of unwanted species of fish or other sea creatures (bycatch).
- It stirs up the seafloor sediments which can harm some marine species, causing
water pollutants to mix with some plankton, which in turn will move into the food
chain, creating harmful algae blooms leading to insufficient oxygen.

POLE AND LINE

Pole and Line is a method of fishing which uses basic hand-held or mechanically
operated poles with baited hooks attached to the line. Pole and Line fishing methods
is mainly used by recreational fishermen, as well as for commercial purposes.
This is an artisanal method that requires a lot of experience, perseverance and
attention from the fisherman. Pole and line fishing method is used to catch targeted
species such as tuna and other large pelagic (midwater) species of fish, one fish at a
time.
The method of Pole and Line fishing method is a basic rod and line fishing method
using hooks and live or artificial bait to catch fish.
When a school of target fish is located, water is sprayed from the fishing vessel and
small bait fish (e.g. sardines, food slops) are scattered onto the surface of the water,
creating the illusion of an active school of prey fish. This process is known as
chumming. Chumming sends the target fish into a feeding frenzy during which they
will bite anything they see. The Fisherman (or men), sometimes as many as 25, cast
their hand-held pole and line and barbless hook attached, on to the water. Fish is
attracted to the shiny lure and hook. Once a fish is hooked, the line is rolled up onto
the deck of the fishing vessel with the hooked fish.
The fishermen carries on fishing and casts their rod again while the already caught
fish are guided down into the vessels fish room.
The Pole and Line fishing method is an extremely environmentally friendly way of
fishing. It is very much a specie targeted fishing method with little or no by-catch,
and even if there was it could easily be released still alive. It is done at surface level
so no seabed impact at all.

PURSE SEINING
Seining is a widely used fishing method which involves encircling targeted species of
fish with a fine meshed net. Seining can be carried out from a single fishing vessel, a
pair of vessels or from the shore. The fisherman locates a school of fish, then takes
one end of a net around the school of fish and back to the fishing vessel. The ends
of the net are synched together like a drawstring bag and pulled aboard with the fish
inside the net.
Purse seining is named so because along the bottom of the net are a number of
rings. A line (referred to as a purse-line) passes through all the rings, and when
pulled, draws the rings close to one another, preventing the fish from sounding
(swimming down to escape the net). This operation is similar to a traditional style
purse, which has a drawstring. The purse seine is a preferred fishing technique for
catching school of fish species close to the water surface such as sardines, mackerel,
anchovies, herring, certain species of tuna, salmon, etc.
Vessels equipped with purse seines are called purse seiners.
Purse seining is associated with low bycatch, especially when used to catch large
species of fish like tuna, herring or mackerel.
Use of purse seines is regulated by many countries. For example, Sri Lanka, using a
type of net within 3.8 nm of the shore is illegal. However, they can be used in the
deep sea, after obtaining permission from authorities. Purse seining can have
negative impacts on fish stocks because it can involve the bycatch of non-target
species and it can put too much pressure on fish stocks.

Conclusion
Different types of gears are used in fishing. Every type of gear has some effect on
the ocean environment. However, if carefully managed, virtually all gear types can
be used responsibly and sustainably.

References:
https://www.msc.org
https://www.afma.gov.au