78 THE FISHING INDUSTRY 



and has to be hauled up and shot again. In preparing 

 for a shot the net is lowered over the side by adjusting 

 the bridle ropes, and the beam is coaxed into its proper 

 position while the net is still near the surface. The 

 net is then gradually lowered, the boat moving slowly 

 forward. The trawl is generally hauled for the duration 

 of a tide that is, six hours during which time it will 

 travel about 15 miles. The net is generally hauled in 

 by a steam capstan, driven by a small donkey engine. 

 When the trawl comes alongside, the beam is secured 

 and the net is gradually hauled over the side by hand 

 until the cod end appears ; this is then made fast to a 

 rope and tackle, and hauled above the deck. The 

 cod line is untied and the fish are discharged upon the 

 deck. 



Since trawling is generally carried out on smooth 

 ground, the greater proportion of the catch consists of 

 certain kinds of demersal fishes that frequent sand and 

 gravel. Of these, the most important are cod, haddock, 

 whiting, ling, hake, catfish, sole, plaice, turbot, and brill. 

 Certain of these species also frequent rocky ground, 

 and are taken in such areas by the line fishermen. 



Generally speaking, line fishermen work in deeper 

 water than trawlers and capture larger fish, though of 

 fewer species, e.g. cod, halibut, ling, skates and rays. 



The original sailing trawlers are rapidly being super- 

 seded by steam trawlers. The first steam trawling 

 company was formed in 1882. It had a capital of 

 20,000 and a fleet of four vessels. It trawled on the 

 Dogger Bank for three years with marked success. 

 After this the future of steam trawling was assured. 

 The steam trawler is many times more efficient than a 

 smack, for it can fish in nearly all weathers, including 

 calm, and it can trawl over rough bottoms, owing to 

 its greater power, and can go much further afield. 



