Fishing Vessels: Technicalities, Uses and Advantages
Fishing vessels catch fish and other seafood in rivers, lakes, and seas. They come in different sizes and play an important role in global food supply, but challenges like overfishing, bycatch, and pollution must be managed.
Fishing Vessels Technical Details
Fishing vessels are divided into three major classes: commercial, artisanal, and recreational. Artisanal vessels are equipped with substandard technology and are owned by regular households in coastal areas. Commercial vessels are equipped with processing facilities such as freezing stores.
Dimensions
- Gillnetters
The nets are held up by floats on the water's surface and weighted at the bottom.
Length: 2 to 30 meters
Beam: 3 to 10 meters
- Longliners
Lines are laid horizontally on the sea, with thousands of baited hooks attached at the end of the branches of the main line.
Length: 10 to 40 meters
Beam: 3 to 15 meters
- Seiners
Purse seiners use a large net that traps a huge group of fish. When the net is drawn tight, fish are trapped.
Length: 10 to 85 meters
Beam: 4 to 15 meters
- Factory fishing ships
Length: 30 to 140 meters
Beam: 10 to 20 meters
- Pleasure fishing ships
Length: 4 to 20 meters, but fishing boats greater than this would not be considered as pleasure craft.
Beam: 2 to 6 meters
Engine power and performance
Fish-catching vessels usually operate at very slow speeds to ensure a maximum catch. Their engine performance varies depending on the type of water, species to be caught, and intended use. Gillnetters and longliners' speeds range from 2 to 10 knots. Fishing speeds are slow, but cruising speeds can reach the upper limit. Factory fishing ships, as they are large vessels, have low speeds so as not to compromise fuel efficiency. Pleasure fishing vessels are multipurpose, so their speeds can reach 30 knots.
Uses of Fishing Vessels
Global food demand: Smaller to larger vessels are used to catch fish to fulfill the daily demand for food, especially in coastal regions of the world. The fish caught in the seas is also sent inland.
Commercial and artisanal fishing: Fishing vessels help sell seafood worldwide and are also a source of income for subsistence-level farmers.
Recreation: Pleasure vessels are used as a source of fishing for recreation and also as a hobby.
Research and survey: Marine biologists study different ecosystems, fish populations, and the impact of environmental conditions on them. These vessels help in sampling for scientific research.
Advantages of Fishing Vessels
- Strong economy: Fishing is a source of income for many nations and individuals worldwide. Fishing vessels create several jobs in the supply chain.
- Positive environmental impact: Artisanal fishing provides food without problems of bycatch and overfishing, and fewer emissions are released into the environment.
- Positive social and health impact: Activities such as pleasure fishing increase a person's skills and vitamin D intake!
FAQs
Q: What equipment do fishing vessels contain?
A: Fishing nets, anchors, lines, holds, freezing boxes, and bait material.
Q: What types of fishing vessels do artisanal fishermen have?
A: Simple fishing vessels with low-end motors and simple catching nets. These vessels help in subsistence-level farming for artisanal fishermen.