FISHING GEAR AND FISHING METHODS 



245 



The length or width of a net is often expressed in feet, yards, or fathoms. Given 

 the size of mesh it is a simple matter to transpose any of these into number of 

 meshes. For example, a web 50 feet long composed of 3-incb meshes would be 

 200 meshes in length. Fishermen usually take measurements by counting meshes. 



Fig. 13-4. Units of measurement sometimes used in net- 

 ting specifications, (a) Recognized method used by manu- 

 facturers and fishermen, (b) Mesh bar. (c) Inside length of 

 mesh, (d) Size of knot. 



Apparatus of Capture 



Fish nets fall into three general classifications: traps, seines, and gill nets. While 

 there are many other styles of nets which may not seem to fit into these categories, 

 they are nevertheless shown to follow by their modus operandi: Otter trawls are 

 actually bag seines; fyke nets are traps; trammel nets are a form of gill net, etc. 



Purse Seines. The purse seine, in use throughout the United States and Alaska, 

 is accredited with more than 45 per cent of the annual total catch; it is by far the 

 most productive kind of gear in use. Generally used in deep water, either in gulfs 

 or bays, or at sea at varying distances from shore, it is employed in the capture 

 of the pelagic fishes which school at or near the surface. The seine is set out in 

 such a way as to encircle the school; the bottom of the net is then pmsed to 

 prevent the fish from diving and escaping. It is also used extensively in the pil- 

 chard, menhaden, tuna, mackerel, salmon, and herring fisheries. Its construction 

 varies somewhat with the particular fishery in which it is employed, but its opera- 

 tion is essentially identical in all. 



A purse seine might be described as a long sheet of rectangular netting, as 

 much as 500 fathoms in length and 50 fathoms in depth, set vertically in a 

 circular fashion in the water. It is so hung that the wall of netting will belly out 

 in the water. To facilitate setting and pursing, the take up is greater on the lead 

 fine, which is about 10 per cent shorter than the netting. The upper edge is 

 buoyed by corks which support the weight and the lower edge is weighted with 

 leads which keep the wall of webbing in an upright position. Attached at intervals 

 to the lead hne are bridles supporting round metal rings through which is run a 

 piirse line. Each end of the purse line is run through a weighted pulley, located 

 on either end of the seine, and up to the seine boat or vessel. After the seine has 

 been set in a circle, the ends of this line are hauled together with the aid of a 

 powered winch, which closes in the bottom edge of the netting and forms a 

 bowl-shaped pocket from which the fish cannot escape. 



The webbing is then hauled into the vessel or seine boat until all but the bunt, 

 or heavy twine section, is back. This is usually located at one end of the seine. 

 After the fish are crowded into the bunt, they are brailed into the vessel and 



