A LONG "SET LINE. 21 



States Fish Commission, by Captain George Mer- 

 chant, Jr., an experienced fisherman of Gloucester 

 (U.S.A.). Such a hne as this is managed by two 

 men, though it is divided into sections for greater 

 convenience in handhng; and, if desirable, two or 

 more set-lines may be made of it). This set-line 

 was composed of the following parts: — Ground-line, 

 nearly 11,150 feet (2^ miles) in length, to which 

 2,000 hooks were attached by small lines called 

 gangings, each 3 feet long (the hooks were placed 

 5i feet apart); two small anchors; two keg-buoys 

 to mark the position of the line; two buoy-lines, 

 each 100 lathoms long; two flags for the buoys; a 

 " trawl roller " and two pairs of " nippers." (The 

 trawl roller is secured to the gunwale of the boat, 

 near the bow, in such a manner that the line passes 

 over it as the bultow is pulled in by the fishermen. 

 The woollen " nippers " are held on the hands of the 

 fisherman — one on each hand — who is thus enabled 

 to grasp the line firmly, and to pull with all his 

 strength — an impossible feat for a bare-handed 

 per'^on). 



With the exception of the Beam-trawl, none of the fishing- 

 gear abovementioned was replaced. 



The Bultow, it maj' be added, is likely to be used on a 

 large scale in our future outside fisheries. At the present 

 time a few men are using it in the v^icinity of Sydney, with 

 splendid results, the catch to a great extent consisting of 

 such an important fish as the Snapper. 



