Fyke-net

              There are two types of fyke-nets: mobile and stationary ones.  A mobile fyke-net is anchored in the fishing ground for the duration of a fishing operation, whereas the frame of a stationary net remains in position all through its useful life.

              A fyke-net is usually operated in shallow waters, 3-6 meters deep, to catch shrimps, planktonic shrimp and miscellaneous fish.  The net is cone-shaped, similar in construction to a castnet without a sinker.  The size of the opening varies between 3 x 5 and 6 x 10 meters for the net opening, and 15 to 30 meters in length.  The mesh-size also varies, even in different parts of the same net.  Generally, the cod-end of the net is constructed of 2 x2 mm mesh-size polyethylene minnow netting, while the rest of the net has a larger mesh-size.

              The wing fyke-net for planktonic shrimp is a little different from other fyke-nets.  This small mobile gear has wings which other fyke-nets do not have, and is set is very shallow waters (1-3 m depth) with two bamboo or wooden poles.  The whole set is made of minnow netting which is normally employed only for the cod-end of a larger fyke-net.

              Fyke-nets are operated either by day or by night, all the year round, usually from after the high tide to the lowest tide.  The cod-end is hauled frequently to collect the catch.  The gear can be found in many places in Thailand, for example mobile fyke-nets in Paknam, Samut Prakan province, the wing fyke-net for planktonic shrimp at Samut Songkhram and Pak Nakhon  in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, and stationary fyke-nets in the Songkhla lagoon and Ban Khokkai, Pangnga.