grunnstörf

Grunnstörf is a term used in Icelandic to describe a specific type of fishing gear. It translates roughly to "basic net" or "foundation net." This type of gear is characterized by its simplicity and often refers to nets that are anchored to the seabed. While the term can encompass a range of net structures, it generally implies a stationary fishing method rather than a towed one like a trawl.

Historically, grunnstörf played a significant role in Icelandic coastal fisheries, particularly for catching demersal fish species. The effectiveness of these nets relies on the natural behavior of fish, which may swim into the mesh or be guided towards the net by currents. Various configurations of grunnstörf existed, adapted to different fishing grounds and target species. Modern fishing practices have introduced more sophisticated netting technologies, but the concept of anchored nets remains a part of fishing heritage and continues to be employed in certain contexts, sometimes in modified forms. The term is less common in contemporary scientific literature compared to more specific descriptions of net types.