Capturing of fish and the methods used
Capturing of fish is also known as arresting of fish or fishing.
There are several methods of fishing and each method may require the particular kind of equipment.
The choice of method and equipment used for fishing or capturing of fish will depend upon the area and the kind of fish the fisherman intends to catch.
Each method used in Nigeria can be grouped into five types;
- Wounding Equipment
- Trap
- Net
- Basket
- Fishing with pot and Gourds
Wounding equipment can be used to wound the fish as they are being caught. example of wounding equipment includes the following;
- Spear
- Arrows
- Hook and line
- Knives
Hook and line
using hooks to fish is a common method used by young people
Hook and line |
Nets
net fishing is probably the most efficient fishing equipment used to catch fish. most net are made of nylon of small weight made of lead attached to the edges of the net.
There are several types of net used for fishing, and this are;
- Cast Net or Drag net
- Gillnet
- Seine net
- Deep net
- Scope net
- Trawler net
- Clap net
Cast net
many small-scale fishermen in Nigeria used cast nets or throw nets to catch fish
Gill net
it is basically a cutting of nylon netting, and hanging it vertically in the water so to catch fish
Traps
fishermen also use traps for catching fish in water just as hunters use various traps for catching animals in the bush
Trap net |
Funnel
entrance traps are usually shaped like a cannoe, some have v-shaped value around the mouth of the trap to prevent the fish which has been caught in the trap from escaping the funnel
Triggered traps
these are usually baited with some food, e.g fish pieces, animal gut, snail etc
Pots and Gourds
some fishermen who fish in ponds and shallow lakes placed clay pots and gourds in the water to catch the fish which enter them
Basket
fishing basket resembles the ordinary basket used in homes, although it is more deeper and tapper from the open and to the closed bottom
Basket |
Fish can also be caught using drainage method . In this type of method, the area of water is drain of it water by any means possible, leaving the fish(es) in it vulnerable.