278 APPARATUS FOR FISHING. 



of the net open, the trawl is towed between two vessels, 

 which, from their always working together, are known as 

 " Parejas " or pairs. 



Two problems in connection with trawling have been the 

 subject of much consideration at various times, but as yet 

 have not been satisfactorily solved. One is to ensure the 

 trawl reaching the bottom at all times in the right position 

 for working ; and the other is to provide for the escape of 

 small fish without running the risk of losing the larger 

 ones. The difficulty in the latter case arises from the fact 

 that the strain on the last part or purse of the trawl when 

 towed over the ground is so great that the meshes, no 

 matter what size they are, are pulled straight and therefore 

 closed ; and if the meshes were made much larger than 

 they are now, fair sized soles would have strength enough 

 to open them sufficiently to squeeze through where the 

 young fish would be unable to do so. Some suggested 

 improvements on the latter point deserve attention among 

 the variety of trawling gear exhibited. 



DRIFT-NET FISHING. 



This method of fishing, although not the oldest recorded, 

 has yet been in use for a very long time, and there is good 

 reason to believe that the long-famous Yarmouth herring 

 fishery, of which we hear in the sixth century, has always 

 been carried on by means of drift-nets. The importance 

 of drift-net fishing is shown by the fact that it is the only 

 method by which such fish as herrings, mackerel, and 

 pilchards, which generally swim at or not very far from 

 the surface, can be readily caught in the open sea, at any 

 distance from land, and in any depth of water sufficient 

 for the nets to float in their natural position. 



The term "drift-nets" is derived from the manner in 



