2. Stick-Held Falling Net
This fishery is the biggest among cast net groups. They are used on powered boats with engines of 33 - 200 Hp. The main target species are squid, which are dried in the sun and are valuable export commodities. The main structure of the gear is bag-shaped with a mouth circumference of 40 - 70 m, at the mouth, the net is equipped with a sinker of 150 - 250 kg. The mouth of the net is closed through a system of purse-line and rings on the head rope.
Normally, the net is made of PA monofilament of 0.2 - 0.3 mm in diameter or Nylon multifilament of 210D/4 - 210D/6 and the mesh size is 20 - 30 mm.
The fishing operation is done at night. After a period using lure lights to gather the fish, the light intensity is gradually reduced to attract the fish to the water-surface to the place where the gear is dropped. The gear is already hung on the sticks attached on one side or both sides of the boat, then the link-pins are pulled out and the gear falls down covering the school of fish. The mouth of the net is closed by hauling on the purse-line. Many operations can be done during a night.
Net Setting:
The fishing operation is as follows:
- Spreading the net
- Gradually reducing the lighting on each group
- Controlling the light intensity to gather squid on the surface, under the spread net
- Pulling the pins to let the net down and catch the whole school of squid
Net Hauling:
When the net sinks to 15 - 20 m deep, it can catch the squids. The purse line is hauled to close the net mouth, then hauled up on board by winch. |