Fishing can simply be defined as the activity of attempting to catch fish. Fishing normally takes place in the wild. Let’s dig in and find out more.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this topic, you are expected to;
Techniques that are used to catch fish include; hand gathering, trapping, netting, spearing and angling. Fishing may also include the catching of aquatic animals apart from fish. These aquatic animals may include echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans and cephalopods. The term fishing does not normally apply to catching aquatic mammals or farmed fish. In aquatic mammals like whale, the term whaling would be more appropriate. Apart from fish being caught to be eaten, fish are also caught for recreational purposes. Fishing tournaments have been held and the caught fish are kept as living trophies, or they are preserved. When bioblitzes occur, fish are caught, identified and then released.
Based on a report by the United Nations FAO, fish farmers and commercial fishermen are estimated to be a total of approximately 38 million. Aquaculture and fisheries provide both direct and indirect employment to over 500 million people in developing countries.
TECHNIQUES
Fish can be caught through many fishing techniques and tactics. Fishing techniques can also be applied to methods for catching other aquatic animals like edible marine invertebrates and molluscs (octopus, squid, shellfish).
Fishing techniques include trapping, hand gathering, netting, angling and spearfishing. Commercial, artisanal and recreational fishers apply different techniques, but sometimes, they apply the same techniques. Recreational fishers fish for sport, pleasure or to provide food for themselves. Commercial fishers on the other hand, fish for profit. Artisanal fishers make use of traditional, low-tech methods especially in third-world countries, others use it as a cultural heritage. Recreational fishers normally use angling methods while commercial fishers mainly use netting methods.
The reason why a fish bites a baited hook involves several factors that are related to the biology, sensory physiology, behavior and feeding ecology of the fish and the environment. The characteristics of the hook and bait also play a role. There is a deep link between several fishing techniques and knowledge about the behavior of fish such as habitat, foraging and migration. Some fishermen follow what is called fishing folklores which argue that the feeding patterns of fish are determined by the position of the moon and the sun.
FISHING TACKLE
Fishing tackle refers to equipment that is used by fishermen when fishing. Almost all equipment or gear that is used for fishing can be referred to as fishing tackle. Some examples include; lines, hooks, floats, sinkers, baits, reels, rods, spears, lures, waders, gaffs, traps and tackle boxes.
Terminal tackle is the name given to a tackle that is attached to the end of a fishing line. This includes sinkers, floats, hooks, swivels, leaders, split rings etc. fishing tackle refers to the physical equipment used during fishing.
FISHING VESSELS
A fishing vessel refers to a boat or a ship that is used for fishing in the sea, or on lake or river. Different kinds of vessels are used for recreational, artisanal and commercial fishing.
