Fishing vessel

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Lobster fishing vessels in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Lobster fishing vessels in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

A fishing vessel is a ship or boat used to catch fish in the sea, or on a lake or river. There are many different kinds of vessels used in both commercial fishing and in recreational fishing.

The earliest fishing vessels were presumably craft such as rafts, dugout canoes, and coracles, and not intended for use any great distance from the shoreline.

Prior to the 1950s there was little standardisation of fishing boats. Designs could vary between ports and boatyards.

Traditionally boats were built out of wood, but wood is not often used now because of cost and the difficulty in obtaining suitable timber. Fibreglass is used increasingly in smaller fishing vessels up to 25 metres (100 tons), while steel is usually used on vessels above 25 metres.

According to the FAO, there are currently (2004) about about four million commercial fishing vessels. About 40,000 of these are greater than 100 tons.[1] It is difficult to estimate the number of recreational fishing boats. They range in size from small dingies to large charter cruisers, and unlike commercial fishing vessels, are often not dedicated just to fishing.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early vessels

The earliest fishing vessels were presumably craft such as rafts, dugout canoes, and coracles, and not intended for use any great distance from the shoreline.

[edit] Sail

[edit] Motorisation

[edit] Commercial vessels

Fishing boats anchored in Sozopol at the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria
Fishing boats anchored in Sozopol at the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria
Trawler in the Swedish town of Simrishamn
Trawler in the Swedish town of Simrishamn

The 200-mile fishing limit has changed fishing patterns and, in recent times, fishing boats are becoming more specialised and standardised. In the United States and Canada more use is made of large factory trawlers, while the huge blue water fleets operated by Japan and the Soviet-bloc countries have contracted. In western Europe, fishing vessel design is focused on compact boats with high catching power.

Commercial fishing is a high risk industry, and countries are introducing regulations governing the construction and operation of fishing vessels. The International Maritime Organization, convened in 1959 by the United Nations, is responsible for devising measures aimed at the prevention of accidents, including standards for ship design, construction, equipment, operation and manning.

The FAO classifies commercial fishing vessels by the gear they use.

[edit] Trawlers

Main article: Commercial trawler

A trawler is a fishing vessel designed to use trawl nets in order to catch large volumes of fish.

[edit] Seiners

Main article: Seine (fishing)

[edit] Drifters

[edit] Flounder boats

Main article: Flounder boat

[edit] Factory ships

Main article: Factory ship

[edit] Recreational vessels

See also: Recreational boat fishing

[edit] Charter boats

These fishing vessels are often privately operated and host 'fishing trips', their size can range widely depending on the type of trips run and geographical location.

[edit] Fishing kayaks

See also: Kayak fishing

The kayak has long been a means of transportation and a means of accessing fishing grounds. Kayak fishing has gained popularity in recent times.

[edit] Pontoon boats

Popular in recent years, these boats allow one or two fishermen to get into small rivers or lakes that would have difficulty accommodating larger boats. Typically 8-12 ft in length, these inflatable craft can be assembled quickly and easily. Some feature rigid frames derived from the white water rafting industry.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

  • McGrail, Sean (2004). Boats of the World: From the Stone Age to Medieval Times. USA: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0199271860.

[edit] External links