netmending

Netmending is the practice of repairing damaged fishing nets and other woven nets by restoring torn meshes, replacing worn strands, and reinforcing weak sections. It is a traditional skill in many coastal communities and remains an important form of gear maintenance in modern fisheries, helping extend the life of nets and reduce operating costs.

Nets are constructed from interwoven knots that form a regular mesh. Damage most commonly occurs at the edges, along wear lines, or where knots have become frayed. Repair begins with drying and inspecting the net to locate holes and weak spots. The repair technique depends on the size and location of damage. Small holes or tears may be mended by patching: a patch cut from similar net material is laid over the hole and sewn around the edge, sometimes with an interwoven backing to hold the patch in place. Larger damage can be repaired by weaving new mesh into the damaged area using a netting needle or shuttle, effectively rebuilding the damaged panel in place, or by replacing a damaged section with a ready-made replacement panel.

Materials and tools commonly used include netting needles, scissors, and twine or the same material as the net (nylon, polyester, cotton, or hemp). Patch material should match the net’s mesh size and line strength to maintain performance. Care is taken to preserve the net’s original mesh count and stretch.

Maintenance and context: nets should be periodically inspected and dried after use, stored away from direct sunlight to slow UV degradation, and repaired promptly to prevent further damage. Netmending is labor-intensive but cost-effective and environmentally favorable compared to wholesale replacement. It is taught informally in fishing communities and by specialized repair workers.