harders

A harder is a type of fishing net used primarily for catching small schooling fish. It is a form of encircling net, meaning it is designed to surround a school of fish. The net is typically deployed from a boat, with the crew working to cast it around the detected fish. Once the net has enclosed the fish, the bottom edges are pulled together, forming a bag that traps the catch. This method is effective for species like sardines, anchovies, and herring.

Harders are characterized by their mesh size, which is small enough to prevent the escape of juvenile fish while allowing water to pass through. The net is often weighted at the bottom to ensure it sinks quickly and effectively encircles the target shoal. The size of a harder can vary significantly, from small nets used by individual fishermen to much larger ones employed by commercial fishing operations. The development and use of harders are closely tied to the fishing industry and the availability of specific fish populations. Different variations of the encircling net exist, and the term "harder" generally refers to this specific type of gear.