Aquaculture II – Fishing Gear & Crafts SS3 Agricultural Science Lesson Note

Fishing Gear

Definition: These are instruments that are used in harvesting fish. 

Types of Fishing Gear and Their Uses

1. Hook and line: The hook and line capture the fish as it tries to swallow it along with the bait. The hook contains natural and artificial bait used to lure the fish to the hook to catch fish whenever it swallows the bait
2. Spears: They are used to kill struggling fish before being dragged into the boat, to avoid the escape of the fish
3. Scoop net: It is used to catch fish in large quantities but usually small fish
4. Fishing baskets: Baskets are used to catch fish in small water bodies like ponds after reducing the water level
5. Impaling: These include spears, machetes and all objects used to attack fish directly
6. Gill net: It devours the movement of bigger fish by hanging them around the gills while allowing the smaller ones to pass through the net. It is used to harvest big fish. It catches fish by their gill.
7. Cast net: A cast net opens out when cast over the pond. As it sinks deep into the pond the mouth is closed, trapping whatever fish that would have been in the water space. It is used to catch specific or selective fishes. It catches fish by surrounding or circling the fish
8. Drag net/Draw net/Seine net: this type is capable of collecting all fish in the water/pond at once because it has a smaller mesh size than a gill net 
9. Trap: It is used to capture fish by allowing fish to swim into it
10. Fishing trawler: This is a large fishing boat in which large nets called seine nets can be attached. It is used for harvesting large fish(es) in the deep sea or oceans. It is used for commercial purposes

    TYPES OF FISHING CRAFTS

Definition:  Fishing crafts are vessels for catching fish on a large scale in the water bodies.

There are various types of fishing crafts they including the following 

1. Dugout canoe: This is carved out from a tree trunk and is powered by paddles
2. Dingy boat: This boat is made of artificial material such as fibreglass. It is fitted with an outboard engine for wider range and performance.
3. Wooden/flat-bottomed canoe: it is made of the bark of a wood frame like dug-out canoes which are common among small-scale art is anal fishermen. It is made out of planks joined together.
4. Motorised canoe: this uses a motor engine to propel its movement. It has the advantage of travelling faster than a paddled canoe.
5. Shoe Dhoni: This is like a shoe. It is used for fishing with nets.
6. Catamarans: It is the most primitive but efficient craft. It is made by tying many logs of wood together to form the shape of a canoe.
7. Masula boat: It is made from mango plank. Also called a bar boat.
8. Raft: it is a traditional craft made from different materials.
9. Trawlers: This is a commercial vessel for large-scale commercial fishing 

 FISHING GEAR CONSTRUCTION AND MENDING

The construction of fishing gears requires expertise and certain repairs can be handled by fishermen The fishing gear materials are either of textile origin such as;

1. Netting,
2. twang 
3. rope 

Non- textile origin such as;

1. floats 
2. Sinkers
3. hooks and jigs 
4. sheer device.

Processes involved in gear construction

1. Shaping of netting: Each netting panel that is used in the construction of fishing can be drained from geometric shapes such as rectangles, each with uniform mesh size and twine specifications
2. Hanging: The actual shape of a mesh or netting panel is determined by the process of hanging it onto a rope frame
3. Assembly of netting: The various constituent pieces of netting panels prepared by shape cutting are assembled by either joining or seeming

 Mending the fishing gear

The ability to mend a fishing net is therefore both a useful, cost-cutting skill for recreational fishermen and a sound skill for backpackers and other wilderness outdoor men. However, damaged ones are repaired and badly damaged ones are often replaced with new ones. Repairs and stitches are made on torn portions of net gear. Lost hooks are replaced, and weak twines are replaced and made stronger for effective and efficient catch. However, the approach adopted depends on the type of gear in question.

 POST-HARVEST PROCESSES

Post-harvest fish processing refers to the processes associated with fish and fish products between the time the fish is caught or harvested and the time the final product is delivered to the consumer. Fish processing helps to prevent the fish from deteriorating, prolonging the shelf life of the fish, retaining a desirable flesh quality and retaining the nutritional value of the fish and its products.

Post-harvest processing includes the following:

1. De-grilling: This refers to the removal of the gills of the fish
2. De-gutting: This is the process of removal of the inner organs of the fish, especially the intestine. These materials usually removed are generally called or referred to as offals.
3. De-scaling: This is the process of removing the scale of the fish by the use of a knife or cutlass.
4. De-capitation: This is the process of removal of the head of the fish 5. Washing: the act of washing fish properly with clean water using a basin. 

Tools used in processing fish

• Knives/cutlass/machete
• Tables
• Water
• Hand gloves
• Basin
• Basket, freezer
• Cutting slabs
• Containers for storage
• Processing aprons
• Weighing scale
• Sponge
• Soap/detergent
• Smoking kiln