1.2 Commercial Ring Net

             The net is operated by 15 to 50 GT boats. It measures 500 to 800 m long by 100 to 150 m deep. Common nettings are 210d/15-24 for the bunt and 210d/6-12 for the wings and body. Mesh sizes vary from species to species and range from 17-30 mm. The netting for the selvage is 210/26-36 with mesh sizes of 50-80 mm. Floats measuring 9 cm x 12 cm x 500 gram each. The lead sinker is No. 6, 110 g/pc and measures 25 mm by 35 mm. Rings are made of stainless steel of 10 mm thickness and 75 mm diameter.
              The typical ring net boat is wooden and powered by a 80-220 Hp diesel engine. An auxiliary engine is installed on the maindeck to drive an improvised winch during pursing operation and heaving the 150-250 kg tom weight. It has no radar or fish finder. It has only a small compass for navigation and an ordinary radio-cassette for weather forecasts. The catcher boat is assisted by an outrigger pumpboat or light boat, powered by 16 Hp gasoline engine or 80 Hp diesel engine. The light boat is assigned to select the payaw with the most fish aggregation which will be lighted and tended for the operation. The catcher boat is manned by 20-30 fishermen while the light boat has 2-3 fishermen.
              The pilot house is located at mid-deck. In some areas, it is located in the forward or bow section. The working deck is for hauling the net and purse rope, the fish hold and the improvised winch differ for various deck arrangements.
               Fishing operations utilize mostly payaws that are lighted at night. At a determined time (0400-0500 hrs.), the fisherman from the light boat signal the catcher boat to prepare for the setting. The payaw attractant is detached and tied to the light boat. After determining the wind and current, and the light boat is freed from the payaw anchor line, the net is set by surrounding the light boat. The purse line is taken on board and hauled using the improvised winch. A 250 kg tom weight is released with the two rings passing the purse line to make the lower portion come close together. Pursing will draw all the purse rings above the water and hang them at the davit block. A complete normal pursing operation takes about 25-30 minutes. Both wings are then hauled simultaneously until the bunt is clear of the water. The catch is brought and poured on deck for sorting, or direct to the fish hold for chilling. The net is then stacked on the net platform ready for the next operation.