Learn More About the 3 Types of Commercial Fishing

Responsible fishing at commercial levels helps to protect the environment and its sea life. Not all potential hazards to the water are contamination-related, but the methods and tools used for commercial fishing get their fair share too. As irresponsible people sometimes choose to fish off-season, you need to comply with the authorities and process a specific commercial fishing permit so that fishing remains sustainable.

Gear selection plays a major role in determining the cost, efficiency, and bycatch of a fishery. Find out which are the most common fishing methods and what are they all about.

Net-Fishing

Fishing with nets is by far the most common method of commercial fishing. Over 80% of fish all over the world are caught via nets. There are many types for different kinds of fishing. You can also find on our website which commercial fishing permit you need depending on what and how are you planning to fish.

• Purse seine: a boat locates a school of fish, then, using either a crane or small boat, takes one end of a net around the school and back to the fishing vessel. The ends of the net are synched together like a drawstring bag and pulled aboard with the fish inside.
• Trawling: it consists in dragging a net through the water behind a boat. There are two different kinds: bottom trawl (dragging the net through the seafloor with weights) and midwater trawl (pull a net through the water off the bottom)
• Gillnet: a net wall with holes where fish get stuck. Actually in decline due to excessive bycatch and its effects.

Line-Fishing

The next common method is the use of lines to catch fish. The oldest fishing type in the world, either for commercial, sporting, or feeding purposes. We can provide a commercial fishing permit for fisheries that require lines as well.

• Longlines: as the name suggests, these are very long fishing lines that have a hook every few feet. They can be many miles long. There exists some concern regarding the bycatch of certain fisheries.
• Pole & line: a fishing pole and line caught fish individually. There is no concern over bycatch

Harvesting Shellfish

A metal rake of sorts is dragged across the bottom to collect shellfish and bivalves buried in the substrate, e.g. scallops, clams, or mussels. Similar to the bottom trawl. As long as it’s done in sandy or rocky areas, bycatch or destroying sponger gardens or deepwater coral shouldn’t be a concern.

Apply For Your Commercial Fishing Permit Today

Navigate our website to find the commercial fishing permit you may require to endorse specific fishing. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.