Fish Capture, Culture and Fisheries

• Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals without limbs that have digits.
• They form a sister group with tunicates, together forming the olfactores.
• This definition includes living hagfish, lampreys, cartilaginous and bony fish, and various extinct related groups.

Fish Capture Technology

• Encompasses the process of catching any aquatic animal using any kind of fishing methods, often from a vessel.
• Technologies have developed around the world according to local traditions and technological advances.

Fish Culture

• Fish culture involves individuals owning and caring for a stock of fish.
• Activities include regular stocking, fertilization, feeding, protection from predators and disease, and environmental care.

Capture Fisheries

• Capture fisheries aims to catch fishes, prawns, lobsters, crabs, mollusks, etc.
• India possesses vast and varied aquatic resources suitable for capture fisheries.
• India is the third largest producer of fish and second largest producer of inland fish in the world.
• Inland fishery involves rearing fish in fresh water and brackish water.
• Marine fishery involves rearing fish in sea water.
• Fishermen need skill in using different tools and equipment for capturing fish.
• Adequate knowledge is needed to make and repair fishing nets.
• Filipino fishermen used to make fishing nets, but they are now commercially produced.

Net Weaving Materials and Tools

• Netting Needle: A spindle-like instrument for loading twine in net weaving.
• Mesh Gauge: An instrument for measuring meshes to ensure uniform size.
• Hook: Used to suspend the loop in place.
• Twine Cutter: Scissors used to cut excess threads of nets.

Mesh and Its Parts

• Mesh is an opening of the net.
• The mesh gauge determines the size of the mesh in making the net.
• Knot: Placement of one or more twines to form a knot.
• Leg or bar: The twine in-between 2 knots, with 2 lengths making a whole mesh.

Terms Used in Net Weaving

• Twine: Braided fishes less than a centimeter in diameter.
• Mesh: An opening or interstice of a net.
• Net: An interwoven twine or fabric with uniform meshes.
• Net Making: The process of transforming fabrics or twines into a fish net.

Fish Capture Targets and Methods

• Varies depending on the types of fisheries.
• Can range from a simple hook and line to large midwater trawls or purse seines.
• Targets aquatic organisms from small invertebrates to large tunas and whales.
• Organisms may be found anywhere from the ocean surface to 2,000 meters deep.
• Wide distribution of target species requires diverse fishing gear and methods for efficient harvest.

Modern Improvements in Fishing

• Major improvements in fiber technology and modern materials have allowed changes in the design and size of fishing nets.
• Mechanization of gear handling has vastly expanded the scale of fishing operations.
• Computer-aided design methods have improved vessel and gear designs increasing the general economics of fishing operations.
• Electronic instruments and fish detection equipment have led to more rapid location of fish and lowering of harvesting costs.
• Developments in refrigeration, ice-making, and fish processing equipment have contributed to vessels remaining at sea for extended periods.
• Small-scale fisheries see changes such as motorizing dugout canoes, use of modern gear, or introduction of iceboxes.
• Technical innovations in fishing gear have focused on greater selectivity to reduce negative environmental impacts.

Historical Fish Culture

• Ancient fishers captured and raised wild fishes.
• The Chinese raised fishes as early as the 5th century BC.
• The ancient Greeks cultured oysters in Rome and Gaul.
• When Magellan visited the Philippines, he found native fishers collecting young milkfish and moving them to brackish water ponds for rearing.

Aquaculture vs. Fish Culture

• Aquaculture is a broad term that includes the culture of fishes, mollusks, crustaceans, algae, bullfrogs, and alligators.
• Fish culture is the process of raising desirable species of fishes in captivity and managing them and their environment to improve growth and reproduction.
• Fishes are reared in fish farms or hatcheries.
• The fish culturist manages the aquatic environment to protect the fishes from predators, parasites, and disease.
• The culturist feeds the fishes and controls water quality to prevent pollution.

Angling Methods

• Five basic methods of angling include bait fishing, fly-fishing, bait casting, spinning, and trolling.
• All can be used in both freshwater and saltwater angling.

Bait Fishing

• Most universally used method.
• A bait is impaled on the hook, which is set by the angler raising the rod tip when the fish swallows it.
• Common baits include worms, maggots, small fish, bread paste, cheese, and small pieces of vegetables and grain.

Fly Fishing

• Angling method using a lightweight lure called an artificial fly to catch fish.
• The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line.
• The light weight requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting.
• The flies may resemble natural invertebrates, bait-fish, or other food organisms.

Bait Casting

• Involves single-handed rod casting of a relatively heavy and usually artificial bait.
• Casting is carried out with a light and soft line from a free-spool reel.

Spin Fishing

• An angling technique where a spinnerbait is used to entice the fish to bite.
• A spinnerbait is a type of hybrid fishing lure with at least one freely rotating blade.

Trolling

• Fishing by trailing any lure, bait, or similar device that may be used to attract or catch fish from a boat.
• The boat must be propelled by a means other than drifting, pedaling, paddling, or rowing.
• Angling uses a fish hook or "angle" attached to a fishing line to tether individual fish in the mouth.
• Trolling involves drawing fishing lines, baited with lures or bait fish, through the water.
• This may be behind a moving boat, by slowly winding the line in when fishing from a static position, or sweeping the line from side to side.
• Trolling is used to catch pelagic fish such as salmon, mackerel, and kingfish.
• Trolling is used for recreational and commercial fishing, whereas trawling is used mainly for commercial fishing.
• Bait: A living or formerly living means of attracting prey.
• Lure: Any means of attracting prey, either a bait or an artificial construct; lure often excludes bait in casual usage.