10 FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 



Italian word ''paranzella" means a sloop or fishing boat propelled 

 by sails, and this net was always used with such boats) has been in use 

 on the Mediterranean for a long period. It is said to have been intro- 

 duced in California in 1876. It is a heavy and strongly constructed 

 net, intended for dragging the bottom in a manner similar to the 

 otter trawl, although it is of quite different make. It proves an 

 efficient means of taking fish. 



There is no strict uniformity in the method of construction. The 

 differences are, however, relatively slight, and the type is constant. 

 The nets differ in length from 25 to 35 fathoms and in form according 

 to the use to be made of them and individual fancy. They are 

 made in several sections or "pieces," varying from four to eight. 



The net illustrated (fig. 2) and on which the discussion is based is 

 the true type of the paranzella and has eight pieces. The first, the 

 wings, which are 150 meshes (3-inch) in length by 300 in width, are 

 made of No. 9 or 12 cotton twine. The wings are often more ex- 

 tended, if it is desired to obtain greater sweep, and may reach con- 

 siderable length. The second piece is 200 meshes (24-inch) in length 

 b}^ 300 in width, of No. 9 twine. The third is 100 meshes in length 

 (2^-inch) by 250 in width, of No. 12 twine. The fourth is 60 meshes 

 in "length ('24-inch) by 225 in width, of No. 18 twine. The fifth is 

 18 or 20 meshes (3| or 3^ inch) in length by 270 in width, of No. 42 

 or 60 twine, and is practically a portion of the bunt. Many nets 

 omit this piece entirely. The sixth piece forms the bag, or bunt, 

 proper. It is 60 meshes (4-inch) in length by 220 in width, of No. 

 84 twine. Sometimes the top is made of 34--inch mesh. No. 42 

 twine, while the sides and bottom are 4-inch mesh, of No. 84 twine 

 or rope. The other pieces are the ques (scagnetto, in Italian), which 

 serve to streng^then the net, and especially to help carry the weight 

 of the ba^. The top que is 62 meshes (4-inch) wide at the front 

 end, tapermg to 30 meshes at the back end, reduction being made at 

 the center, 9 fathoms long. The bottom que is 42 meshes (8-inch) 

 wide in front, tapering to 30 meshes at the other end, reduction 

 being made in the center, and is 8 fathoms long. No. 64 twine being 

 used for both ques. It will be noted that the bottom que is about 

 a fathom behind the top que. 



The head of the top que is attached to the rope (34-inch soft 

 manila, which carries tne win^s and takes the strain of the net) in a 

 special manner, as illustrated m the drawing of the net. It does not 

 follow the curve, but its end is straight and is lashed to the rope 

 (using No. 60 or 84 twine), gradually lengthening at the sides of the 

 c[ue to accommodate the curve. Two meshes are picked up by the 

 needle, an overhand knot is made in them, and the lashing led to the 

 rope, when three round turns are taken and fastened. 



A crown of about 20 corks, graduated in size, is sometimes attached 

 to the front end of the top que to assist in sustaining it when the 

 strain is expected to be heavy. 



For convenience in removmg the fish from the bag, either two or 

 three openings, or "doors," are left in the top. These are 20 or 

 more meshes in length and are trimmed with 1 or I4 inch manila 

 rope and lashed together with No. 9 or No. 12 thread rope. There is 

 also a bottom, or end, door to the bag, trimmed as the others. It is 

 closer to the bottom of the net than to the top. 



