Fishing vessels serve as the lifeblood of countless global economies, delivering not only a wealth of food, but also furnishing employment opportunities for multitudes of people worldwide.
Ranging from compact boats to colossal factory ships, these vessels, in their assorted sizes and forms, are deployed to harvest a diverse spectrum of fish species.
But, what are fishing vessels, exactly? Who forms their crew?
What regulations and laws are in place to ensure not only the longevity of fish populations but also the safety of the crew aboard these ships?
In this piece, we’re setting sail into the world of fishing vessels, charting the course through different vessel types, the personnel they house, and the legislation guiding their operations.
What is a fishing vessel?
A fishing vessel is essentially a boat or ship tasked with the job of catching fish, which could be for business purposes or simply for recreation.
These watercraft come in various sizes, spanning from petite boats steered by an individual, to mammoth factory ships stretching over 100 meters in length.
The choice of fishing vessel largely depends on the type of fish being hunted and the specific fishery where it’s active.
There’s a vast array of fishing vessels out there, including trawlers, longliners, purse seiners, and gillnetters.
Trawlers are designed to haul a substantial net across the ocean floor, scooping up a diverse assortment of fish. Longliners are utilized to catch tuna and other big fish species, using a lengthy line dotted with hundreds or even thousands of baited hooks.
Purse seiners serve the purpose of encircling a fish school with a net, then pulling it tight like a purse to ensnare the fish.
Gillnetters employ a net featuring hanging sections or ‘gills,’ which fish swim into and get trapped.
Fishing vessels can also be categorized by their propulsion method.
A lot of small boats rely on outboard motors for movement, whereas bigger vessels might feature inboard engines or utilize sails. Some fishing vessels boast specialized propulsion systems like hydrofoils or hovercraft to facilitate operations in shallow or turbulent waters.
Beyond the vessel itself, fishing boats often come equipped with an array of special gear.
This might include sonar systems to spot fish schools, GPS, and other navigational tools to aid the crew in charting their course to the fishing grounds and back.
Larger vessels might also house on-board processing facilities, enabling immediate cleaning, filleting, and freezing of the fish post-catch.
Fishing constitutes a crucial segment of numerous global economies, supplying food and job opportunities to millions.
However, overfishing and other non-sustainable fishing methods have resulted in the reduction of several fish populations, prompting the establishment of various conservation initiatives.
Such initiatives can encompass catch limits, fishing quotas, and the formation of marine protected areas.
Apart from environmental considerations, the fishing industry also grapples with various safety challenges.
Sea work can be perilous, fraught with the risks of storms, tumultuous seas, and equipment malfunction.
Fishermen also face potential injuries from managing heavy machinery and the danger of falling overboard.
To mitigate these safety concerns, numerous fishing vessels are fitted with safety gear such as life rafts, immersion suits, and emergency beacons.
What are the types of fishing vessel?
The choice of a fishing vessel rests heavily on the kind of fish being pursued and the specific fishery where it operates. Let’s take a tour of the primary types of fishing vessels out there:
Trawlers: Trawlers are known for hauling a substantial net across the ocean floor to gather a diverse range of fish. They vary in size, spanning from small boats to enormous factory ships. Trawlers are commonly utilized for catching demersal species like cod and haddock, along with pelagic species such as mackerel and herring.
Longliners: Longliners come into play when you’re hunting larger fish species like tuna, using a long line peppered with hundreds or thousands of baited hooks. These vessels can be equipped with specialty gear, like deep-sea longlines, capable of reaching depths of several thousand meters.
Purse seiners: As the name suggests, purse seiners are used to encircle a school of fish with a net that’s drawn tight, much like a purse, to trap the fish. They’re typically deployed to target pelagic species, for instance, sardines and anchovies.
Gillnetters: Gillnetters employ a net featuring hanging panels, or ‘gills,’ that fish swim into and get ensnared. These vessels are often harnessed to catch salmon and other species that swim near the water’s surface.
Dredgers: When you want to gather scallops, oysters, and other shellfish from the ocean floor, dredgers come in handy. These vessels use a dredge — a large metal frame fitted with teeth or tines — to scrape the ocean bottom and collect the shellfish.
Crabbers: Crabbers, as the name suggests, are used for catching crabs, using pots or traps. These vessels are typically smaller and may come with specialized crabbing gear like hydraulic pot haulers or bait grinders.
Trollers: Trollers catch fish using a series of lines featuring lures or bait. They’re often used to trap pelagic species such as salmon and halibut.
Aside from these primary types of fishing vessels, there are also numerous other specialized ones catering to specific kinds of fishing.
For instance, shrimpers are used for catching shrimp, and drift netters catch salmon and other species using expansive nets left to drift with the currents.
Fishing vessels can also be categorized based on their propulsion method.
Numerous small boats rely on outboard motors, while larger vessels might come with inboard engines or use sails. Some fishing vessels even boast unique propulsion systems like hydrofoils or hovercraft to operate in shallow or turbulent waters.
Who works on fishing vessels?
The crew aboard fishing vessels comprises an array of roles including deckhands, engineers, and captains, each contributing uniquely to the operation of the ship.
The specific duties and accountabilities of every crew member are determined by factors such as the vessel’s size and type, and the specific fishery where the vessel operates.
Deckhands, alternatively referred to as fishermen or fisherwomen, undertake the day-to-day tasks aboard the vessel. Their responsibilities may encompass deploying and retrieving the nets, baiting the hooks, and ensuring the vessel’s equipment stays in tip-top shape.
On top of this, deckhands might also be tasked with prepping the catch for sale or storage, a process that may include cleaning, filleting, and freezing the fish.
Engineers aboard these vessels have the crucial task of maintaining and fixing the vessel’s machinery. This can encompass engines, generators, and various other mechanical systems. They may also oversee the upkeep of the vessel’s electronics, including the navigation and communication systems.
Captains, the leaders of the ship, are entrusted with the overall functioning of the vessel and the crew’s safety. Their duties involve navigating the vessel, deciding on the fishing spots and timings, and guaranteeing the vessel abides by all relevant laws and regulations.
In addition to managing the vessel’s finances, captains may also have a role in hiring and training fresh crew members.
Beyond these primary crew roles, fishing vessels may also house other specialists, such as fish processors, cooks, and medics.
Fish processors focus on readying the catch for sale or storage – similar to the tasks undertaken by deckhands. Cooks shoulder the responsibility of meal preparation for the crew, while medics provide basic healthcare services and first aid in case of injuries or illnesses.
The job of fishing can be physically challenging and fraught with dangers, encompassing long working hours, arduous working conditions, and the risk of injury or illness.
Fishermen and women are often exposed to harsh weather conditions, and may be called upon to work during nights or holidays.
Yet, despite these challenges, a considerable number of people are attracted to the fishing industry. They value the strong sense of camaraderie and relish the opportunity to work in the open air and on the water.
What laws apply to a fishing vessel?
Fishing vessels are bound by a host of laws and guidelines intended to shield the marine environment, uphold the safety of the crew, and secure the lasting presence of fish populations.
The precise laws applicable can fluctuate based on the country where the vessel is working and the specific fishery it’s associated with.
A key collection of laws affecting fishing vessels relate to conservation and management strategies, which aim to secure fish populations’ longevity.
These methods can encompass catch limits, fishing quotas, and even the establishment of marine conservation zones.
Many nations have also enforced laws to control the usage of certain fishing gear or techniques, like trawling or longlining, in a bid to mitigate the impact on the marine environment.
Beyond conservation and management methods, fishing vessels also adhere to safety regulations.
These rules may dictate that vessels carry certain safety gear, including life rafts, immersion suits, and emergency beacons, and adhere to safety protocols like maintaining an appropriate distance from other vessels or steering clear of certain areas.
Fishing vessels also fall under a slew of other laws and regulations spanning labor, taxation, and customs.
As an example, many countries enforce laws necessitating fishing vessels to pay taxes on their catches and abide by labor standards, such as providing satisfactory living conditions and medical aid for the crew.
The task of enforcing these laws usually rests with the country where the vessel operates.
This enforcement can be managed by government bodies like coast guards or fishery enforcement agencies, or even by private entities such as fishing industry associations.
In addition to local laws, fishing vessels might also be bound by international agreements and treaties.
For instance, numerous countries are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which lays down rules concerning ocean usage and marine resources conservation.
Fishing Vessels: A Final Word
Fishing vessels stand as an essential link in the chain between the vast ocean ecosystem and our human interaction with the seas.
They come in all shapes and sizes – from trawlers to longliners, and they’re engaged in the capture of an array of fish species, either for commercial gain or for the sheer enjoyment of recreational fishing.
The individuals who operate these vessels – the deckhands, engineers, captains and more, form the heart of the vessel’s functioning and ultimate success.
While fishing can indeed pose a physically taxing and potentially risky occupation, it also offers a fulfilling career path for those drawn towards the marine environment and ready to embrace hard work.
In a bid to secure the long-term survival of fish species and ensure crew safety, fishing vessels are bound by an extensive array of laws and regulations. These, however, can change based on the country of operation and the specific fishery involved.
