A drift netter is a fishing vessel that uses long, horizontal drift nets to catch a variety of marine species.
While drift net fishing can be an efficient way to catch large quantities of fish, it has also attracted controversy due to its potential negative impacts on the environment and non-target species.
In this article, we will delve into the details of drift netters, including how they operate, who works on them, and the laws and regulations that apply to them.
What is a Drift Netter?
A drift netter is a type of fishing vessel that uses long, horizontal nets called drift nets to catch a variety of marine species.
Drift nets are typically made of synthetic materials like nylon or polyethylene and are suspended in the water column by a series of buoys and weights.
The nets are designed to drift with the currents and are usually set in place for several hours or overnight.
Drift net fishing is a controversial practice because it can have a significant impact on marine ecosystems and non-target species.
When a drift net is deployed, it can capture not only the intended species, but also a variety of other animals, including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and seabirds.
These animals, known as bycatch, can become entangled in the net and drown or suffer injuries.
In addition to the bycatch issue, drift netters can also deplete fish populations by catching too many individuals of a certain species.
This can lead to overfishing, which can have negative consequences on the health and balance of the marine ecosystem.
Despite these concerns, drift net fishing is still practiced in some parts of the world.
It is a relatively inexpensive and efficient way to catch a large amount of fish in a short period of time, which makes it attractive to some fishing fleets.
However, there are efforts underway to reduce the negative impacts of drift net fishing.
One approach is the use of more selective gear, such as traps or longlines, which can reduce bycatch and minimize the impact on non-target species.
In addition, many countries have implemented regulations to limit the size and number of drift nets that can be used, as well as the species that can be targeted.
One example of these efforts is the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization’s (FAO) International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity (IPOA-Capacity).
This plan aims to promote sustainable fishing practices and reduce overcapacity in the fishing industry. It includes guidelines for the use of drift nets and other types of fishing gear, as well as recommendations for the management of fishing fleets.
Despite these efforts, drift net fishing remains a controversial practice, and there are ongoing debates about the best way to address its environmental impacts.
Some argue that a complete ban on drift net fishing is necessary to protect marine ecosystems, while others argue that such a ban would have negative economic consequences for fishing communities.
Who Works on Drift Netters?
drift netters are fishing vessels that use long, horizontal drift nets to catch a variety of marine species.
These vessels can range in size from small, open boats to large, factory ships, and the number of crew members can vary accordingly.
On smaller drift netters, the crew may consist of just a few people, including the captain, a deckhand, and a cook.
The captain is responsible for navigating the vessel and making decisions about where and when to deploy the nets.
The deckhand assists with the operation of the nets and helps to sort and process the catch. The cook is responsible for preparing meals for the crew.
On larger drift netters, the crew may be more numerous and may include additional deckhands, engineers, and fish processors.
These crew members may work in shifts to ensure that the vessel can operate around the clock.
In addition to the crew, drift netters may also carry scientists or observers on board to monitor the catch and collect data on the fishing operations.
These individuals may be employed by the fishing company or may be contracted by government agencies or research institutions.
The working conditions on a drift netter can be physically demanding and may involve long hours and time spent at sea.
Crew members may be required to work in a variety of weather conditions and may be required to lift heavy loads and perform tasks that require a high level of manual dexterity.
The work can also be hazardous, with the risk of accidents and injuries.
Despite these challenges, working on a drift netter can be a rewarding career for those who are interested in the fishing industry.
It can provide a sense of adventure and the opportunity to work in a unique and dynamic environment.
However, drift net fishing is a controversial practice, and there are ongoing debates about the environmental and social impacts of this type of fishing.
Some argue that drift netters contribute to overfishing and the depletion of fish populations, as well as the accidental capture of non-target species. As a result, there are calls for stricter regulations on drift net fishing and the use of more sustainable fishing practices.
What Laws Apply to Drift Netters?
At the national level, countries may have laws that specifically address the use of drift nets by fishing vessels operating within their territorial waters.
These laws may specify the types of gear that can be used, the size and number of nets that can be deployed, and the species that can be targeted.
They may also establish quotas or limits on the amount of fish that can be caught, as well as requirements for the reporting and monitoring of fishing operations.
At the international level, the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has developed the International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity (IPOA-Capacity).
This plan aims to promote sustainable fishing practices and reduce overcapacity in the fishing industry. It includes guidelines for the use of drift nets and other types of fishing gear, as well as recommendations for the management of fishing fleets.
In addition to national and international laws, drift netters may also be subject to regional regulations.
For example, the European Union has established the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which regulates the fishing activities of EU member states.
The CFP includes provisions on the use of drift nets, as well as on other issues such as the protection of endangered species and the conservation of fish stocks.
Industry organizations may also have their own codes of conduct or standards that apply to drift netters.
For example, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has developed guidelines on the responsible use of drift nets. These guidelines recommend best practices for minimizing the impact of drift nets on non-target species and the environment, as well as for ensuring the sustainability of fish stocks.
Despite these laws and regulations, drift net fishing remains a controversial practice, and there are ongoing debates about the best way to balance the need for sustainable fishing practices with the economic needs of fishing communities.
Some argue that stricter regulations are needed to protect marine ecosystems and prevent overfishing, while others argue that such regulations may have negative economic consequences for the fishing industry.
Environmental Considerations
Drift netters are fishing vessels that use long, horizontal drift nets to catch a variety of marine species.
While drift net fishing can be an efficient way to catch large quantities of fish, it can also have negative impacts on the environment.
One of the main environmental concerns with drift net fishing is the issue of bycatch.
When a drift net is deployed, it can capture not only the intended species, but also a variety of other animals, including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and seabirds.
These animals, known as bycatch, can become entangled in the net and drown or suffer injuries. The accidental capture of bycatch can have negative consequences for the health and balance of marine ecosystems.
In addition to the bycatch issue, drift netters can also contribute to overfishing and the depletion of fish populations.
When too many individuals of a certain species are caught, it can lead to a decline in the population of that species, which can have negative consequences on the health and balance of the ecosystem.
Another environmental concern with drift net fishing is the use of synthetic materials in the nets. These materials, such as nylon and polyethylene, can break down over time and release small particles into the water, which can be ingested by marine life and potentially have harmful effects.
To address these environmental concerns, there are efforts underway to reduce the negative impacts of drift net fishing.
One approach is the use of more selective gear, such as traps or longlines, which can reduce bycatch and minimize the impact on non-target species.
In addition, many countries have implemented regulations to limit the size and number of drift nets that can be used, as well as the species that can be targeted.
Wrapping Up: Drift Netters
Drift netters are fishing vessels that use long, horizontal drift nets to catch a variety of marine species.
These vessels can range in size and the crew may include the captain, deckhands, engineers, fish processors, and scientists or observers.
While drift net fishing can be an efficient way to catch large quantities of fish, it has also attracted controversy due to its potential negative impacts on the environment and non-target species.
Efforts are underway to reduce these impacts, including the use of more selective gear and regulations on the size and number of drift nets that can be used.
However, the issue of drift net fishing remains controversial, with ongoing debates about the best way to balance the need for sustainable fishing practices with the economic needs of fishing communities.
