fångstfiske

Fångstfiske refers to the practice of capturing fish and other aquatic organisms for sale, consumption, or personal use. It is used primarily in a commercial and subsistence context, and also applies to recreational harvest in some regions. The term is common in Swedish and Nordic languages, where it denotes the harvest-oriented aspect of fishing, as opposed to aquaculture or purely sportfishing.

Fångstfiske employs a wide range of gear and methods. Passive gear such as nets (gillnets, trawl nets), traps and pots, longlines, and weirs are set to capture passing fish. Active techniques include open-water fishing with hooks and lines, trawling, dredging, and manually driven fishing on shorelines. The choice of gear depends on species, habitat, and regulatory constraints, and gear may be designed to improve selectivity and reduce bycatch.

Fisheries are typically regulated by national authorities and, in many regions, by regional or international bodies. Licensing, quotas for individual stocks, seasonal closures, size limits, and protected species rules aim to prevent overfishing and to recover depleted stocks. Bycatch and discard reduction are central concerns, encouraging the use of selective gear, bycatch mitigation devices, and data collection for stock assessment.

Economic and cultural importance is significant: fleets range from small coastal boats to large industrial vessels, providing food, employment, and export income, while in many communities recreational catch fisheries contribute to tourism and heritage. Sustainability goals emphasize science-based management, monitoring, and compliance to balance fish populations with human needs.