Surrounding nets without a purse line

              The simplest in construction and in the method of operation are the surrounding nets without a purse line.  They have traditionally been used on a small-scale in coastal waters, for catching anchovies, rock-fish and other near-shore species.

              Anchovy surrounding net (Uan Glud Takhao)

              It is usually operated from a small boat, (8-14 meters long, 6-20 h.p. engine), by 6-10 fishermen.  The net is rectangular, 200-400 meters long and 10-15 meters deep.  The main net consists of 6.4 x 6.4 – 7.4 x 7.4 mm nylon minnor netting, or 6.3 – 8.3 mm rachel net. Polyethylene 250 d/12 netting is used for lower selvedge.  Float line is longer than sinker line, buoyancy force is about double of the sinking force.  C-shaped steel hooks are used for closing the bottom part of net.

              Fishing operations are conducted in the early morning and evening, in 2-10 meters of water depth near the shore.  A fish school is located by a simple visual search.  The only piece of equipment apart from the net is an air compressor on board, to supply air to the fisherman who dives when the bottom of the net has to be closed.

              Fishing grounds are sandy or mud and sand, mostly in Rayong, Chantaburi and Trat province.

               Rock-fish surrounding net (Uan lom lung hin)

              It was developed from anchovy surrounding net, therefore the fishing method is the same.  There are, however, some differences in net materials and fishing grounds.  In this case, 25 mm mesh size, nylon 210 d/6 is used for the main net, and 30 mm, polyethylene 380 d/12 is used for selvedge.

              Fishing grounds are where the bottom is rocky, or around a reef.  The principal target species are yellow-tail fusiliers, rabbit fish, cavalla, barracuda and other coral fishes.  The gear is found in the eastern Gulf of Thailand, A. Makhampom, in Rayong province.