Fishing and Gear Technology

Unit-1 Introduction to fishing gear

1.4.Fishing Gears of India
Fishing gears of India can be broadly classified into

• Fishing implements.
• Traps and barriers.
• Hooks and lines.
• Nets

Fishing implements – These consist of most primitive types of fishing gears like fish spears, sickle, blow gun and others.

Fish traps and barriers – Traps of different types like basket traps, box traps, traps for jumping fish etc. are used in different parts of the country. Screen barriers are also used which are set in shallow tidal backwaters.

Hooks and lines – These are effective in catching large predatory fishes. Rod and line is used in sports fishing. Long lines and trolling lines are used to catch high individual value fish.

Nets – Cast nets are widely used in inland and marine waters of India to catch fishes. These are used in clean waters with even bottom. There are stringless cast net and also stringed cast net.

Fixed bag net - Stake nets are conical bag nets set in streams and tidal waters to filter out fish coming along the current. They are held in position by stakes driven into muddy bottom. A stout coir rope encircles the mouth.

Dip net - Chinese dip nets are highly specialized nets used in Kerala. It is stationary net balanced by counter weight so that it can be dipped and lifted.

Among the shore seines the most popular one is the Rampani net of Karnataka. This is also operated in certain parts of Goa and Maharashtra.

Single and two boat seines are used in many parts of India to catch shoaling pelagic fishes.

In the case of gill nets, the length, depth and mesh size varies depending on the type of fish to be caught. The anchored gill nets made of hemp were used along the South Canara coast. Coconut husks are used as floats and heavy stones as sinkers. However, at present the gill nets make use of synthetic twines. Drift nets are one of the most efficient indigenous gears used in India. Surface drift nets are extensively used in Malabar and South Canara coasts e.g. Kola vala. Bottom drift nets are commonly used on the Veraval – Porbunder (Dhakal) for catching pomfrets. Besides these, trawls and purse seines are operated for bulk fishing in different parts of the country.