depending on the preference of the fiehermen, meiy b? contained In the depth of the net. 

 The float line la conetructed of two ropee, one wound right hand and the other left hand 

 (Figure 17). The doable rope prevent* the float line from twisting and caueing the float* 

 to temgle in the net. The floats, about 35 centimeters In length and spaced about a meter 

 apart, are made of paulownia wood (Paulownla ijiperialie ). The lift lines, made of cotton 

 or Nanking hemp, are about 5 millimeters in diameter and 35 centimeters in length. 



Boats, genersdly about 20 tons, carry 130 to 150 sections of net. The fishing 

 grounds are reached before evening, and the nets are set oat in one continuous, connected 

 line. One end le attached to the veseel by a rope to which an alternating series of floats 

 and stones Is fastened. This arrengeiiem; acte as a spring and. prevents the net from break- 

 ing loose when the 'boat rolls and pitches. As the net drifts along, the boat keeps pace with 

 it. Glass buoys about 35 centimeters in diameter are placed at every third section of the 

 net. Buoy lights are set down at Intervals to warn away other boats and to permit the fish- 

 ermen easily to detect the position of their net. The net is patrolled by a small rowboat 

 throughout the night. Since tuiiae, once trapped, die easily and are likely to be eaten by 

 seals in the colder waters or sharks in the wanner waters, they are removed from the net 

 as soon as the watch rowboat detects their presence. The entire drift net is taken ap at 

 dawn. 



4. Circling Ket 



The circling net (maklaal) for tunas was introduced from the United States as a 

 purse seine designed to capture schooling fish of large elr.e. It nas been operated with 

 little success in Japanese waters. In only a few localities do the tunas concentrate in 

 sufficient numbers to warrant the use of the net. In Sendal Bay, Miyagl Prefectare, the 

 circling net was formerly operated to take black tunas, but In recent years the fish have 

 not entered the bay, and operations have been suspended. In Sagaml Bay. Kanagawa Prefecture! 

 the circling net Is still operated for yellowfin tuna but has been modified from the original 

 purse type. It Is much simplified and resembles a Isunpeura net. Purse lines have been re- 

 moved, and the net, about 500 to 600 meters long, consists solely of two wings and a central 

 pocket. At the ends of the win^s the mesh is 18 meters stretched. The size of the mesh 

 gradually decreapes toward the pocket where it measures about 12 centimeters stretched. 

 When the school of fish is surrounded, the two boats operating the net cross over and bring 

 the wings to(?ether. This action causes tho fish to swim to the rear of the net and enter 

 the bag. 



5. Speare 





TlBhermen are able to practice spearing (tsuklnbo) for aarlln, swordflsh, and sail- 

 flah when these species bask on the surface. Spearing 1* done from June to August In the 

 waters extending from the Izu Islands north to the Tohoku region. A special type of fishing 

 boat is used, known as "tsuklnbo bune", 4 to 20 tons In size and with a platform built on the 

 bow. Since the fishing grounds are close to land the boats operate on single-day runs. 



6. Trolling Jig 



m 



During 1932 and 1933 trolling for black tuna, with flying fish as bait, was carried 

 on In the Tohoku region. At present no fishing boats are restricted to this type of fishing. 

 However, vessels cruising over tana fishing grounds always prepare a few trolling lines in 

 anticipation of catching tunas which might be used as food for the crow or sold In the market. 

 ■Rie trolling jig used (Figure 18) is generadly made of the feathers of fowl wrapped in a piece 

 of the ventral skin of the puffer or file fish. The hook is hidden ajsong the feathers. The 

 head of the Jig may be lead, bone, or the snout of the marlln. If bait is used, a fresh mack- 

 erel, flying fish, or squid is tied fast to the hook. No special equipment is used to hold' 

 the trolling Una on the boat. 



7. long Line 



The method of catching tunas below surface level by placing long lines (maguro 

 haenawa for black and yellowfin tunas, binoiio nawa for albaeore) across their path of move- 

 ment has been practiced both in Japanese waters and in the broad area of the Indo-Paolfic 



p-6307 



