netsfishing

Netsfishing refers to the practice of catching fish and other aquatic organisms primarily with fishing nets. The term encompasses a wide range of gear and techniques used in rivers, lakes, and marine environments. Nets can be employed alone or attached to boats, casting devices, or trawling equipment depending on the species and water depth.

Common net designs include gillnets, which catch fish by their gills; seine nets that encircle schools and are closed at the bottom to trap them; trawl nets towed behind vessels; cast nets thrown by hand or with a device and retrieved; lift nets that trap targets as they are hauled upward; and trammel nets with multiple panels designed to trap fish in the folds.

Historically, netsfishing has ancient roots, with evidence of net use in many early civilizations. The industrial era brought mechanization and standardized net materials, leading to larger harvests and extended fishing grounds. Modern nets are typically made of synthetic fibers or advanced polymers and can be highly specialized for species, habitat, and depth requirements.

Environmental concerns include bycatch of non-target species, habitat damage, and stock depletion in some regions. Regulations often restrict net type, mesh size, seasonal closures, and protected areas. Bycatch reduction devices, turtle excluder devices for certain trawls, and gear modifications have been developed to mitigate impacts.

Net fishing supports livelihoods in many coastal communities and remains a dominant fishing method in several regions. It can be efficient for small-scale fisheries but also raises enforcement and sustainability challenges where overfishing or illegal fishing occurs.

Efforts to promote sustainable netsfishing include ecosystem-based management, traceability, and certification schemes such as the Marine Stewardship Council. Ongoing research seeks to improve selectivity, reduce bycatch, and minimize habitat disturbance through gear design and seasonal management.