International Development Research Centre
SAFIS Extension Manual Series No. 24, 1985
SMALL RING NET FISHING
Danilo O. Maputol
SMALL RING NET FISHING
by
Danilo O . Maputol
The Secretariat
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center November 1985
extension specialist stationed at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Provisional Fishery Office located at Cagayan de Oro City.
CONTENTS
Page
Introduction ... 1
Description of the small ring net ... 2
Method of construction ... 9
Method of operation ... 20
A. Fish detection ... 20
B. Setting the net ... 24
C. Pursing ... 25
D. Hauling the net ... 26
Operation of a fish shelter ... 27
System of sharing proceeds from the c a t c h 28
LIST OF FIGURES
Page Fig. 1 Deck arrangement of a
typical small ring net b o a t 7 Fig. 2 Outboard profile of a small
ring net boat ... 8 Fig. 3 Method of joining sections
A and B of small ring net ... 10 Fig. 4 Method of joining sections
B and C of small ring net ... 11 Fig. 5 Method of joining section
D to sections C and of
small ring net ... 13 Fig. 6 Upper selvage piece (section E)
and lower selvage piece
section F) of small ring net.... 14 Fig. 7 Structural plan of a small
ring net ... 18 Fig. 8 Operation of small ring n e t .... 23
LIST OF TABLES
Page Table 1 Specifications of a small
ring net ... . . 3 Table 2 Materials used for making
a small ring net ... 4 Table 3 Estimated cost of vessels,
Equipment and Materials for a small ring net fishing outfit ... ... 5 Table 4 Recorded catch of a typical
small ring net fishing
o u t f i t ... 30
Danilo O . Maputol
Fishery Extension Specialist I Provincial Fishery Office
Cagayan de Oro City PHILIPPINES
INTRODUCTION
Since ring net fishing has proved to be so effective in catching large schools of pelagic fish, many Filipino subsistence fishermen were eager to acquire the net for operating it them
selves. However, because of their limited skill and financial constraints, many of them had to give up the hope of possessing this gear.
Nevertheless, a few fishermen persisted in their endeavours and through their ingenuity a smaller version of the gear requiring lower capital
investment was designed. This small ring net was tested, improved and finally adopted after it was found to be viable and effective for catching pelagic fish.
The aim of this manual is to impart to the subsistence fishermen the basic principles of designing, constructing and operating the small ring net. The information has been gathered through contacts with fishermen and operators of this fishing gear in the hope that subsistence fishermen may be able to improve their status by becoming medium-scale fishermen.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SMALL RING NET A s m a ll r i n g n e t , w h ich i s known l o c a l l y e i t h e r as " s e m i- lik o m " o r " s in s o ro n g - g a m a y " is v e r y s i m i l a r i n s t r u c t u r e t o th e o r i g i n a l r i n g n e t . I t v a r ie s fro m th e l a t t e r o n ly i n th e d im e n s io n s and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s o f n e t t i n g and o t h e r m a t e r ia ls (see T a b le s 1 t o 3) as w e ll as i n th e s iz e o r ty p e o f f i s h i n g c r a f t used f o r i t s o p e r a tio n
(see F ig s . 1 and 2 ) .
T h is g e a r has a lo n g w a ll o f n e t t i n g whose mesh s iz e g r a d u a lly becomes s m a lle r to w a rd s th e b u n t. B o th ends o f th e n e t a re ta p e r e d . The n e t i s p ro v id e d w it h a s e r ie s o f la r g e f l o a t s on i t s u p p e r r im and w it h le a d s in k e r s on th e lo w e r p o r t i o n . The r in g s a re a tta c h e d t o th e le a d l i n e s in k e r l i n e by means o f b r i d l e l i n e s o r s tr a p s a t r e g u la r i n t e r v a l s . I t i s th ro u g h th e s e r in g s t h a t a p u rs e l i n e i s passed and p u lle d t o c lo s e th e lo w e r p a r t o f th e n e t p r i o r t o th e h a u lin g o p e r a tio n , th e r e b y fo rm in g a p u rs e w h ich t r a p s th e f i s h .
The f i s h i n g g e a r i s payed o u t i n a c i r c l e o r s h o t i n such a p o s i t i o n as t o s u rro u n d th e body o f w a te r c o n t a in in g th e s c h o o l, t h u s , l o c a l i z i n g th e f i s h . The c a tc h i s th e n
c o n c e n tra te d i n th e b u n t o f th e n e t , fro m w hich i t i s b r a i l e d u s in g a scoop.
The n e t has been fo u n d t o be e f f e c t i v e f o r c a tc h in g p e la g ic and o t h e r f is h e s such as tu n a , m a c k e re l, ro u n d -s c a d , m o o n fis h , s lip m o u t h , as w e ll as g a r f is h and h a lf - b e a k .
Table 1. Specifications ofasmallringnet(548.39mlongby56.16m deep) SectionsNo. of strips Length of netting (m) No. of knots Size of twine Hanging % Lengthof line(m) Width/ depth (m) No. of floats
No.of sinkers A5148.57210d/66089.139.82371556 A15148.57210d/66089.139.82371556 B8198.010210d/660118.842.55540808 B18198.010210d/660118.842.55540808 C1299.013210d/66059.447.99297446 C11299.013210d/66059.447.99297446 D656.1614210d/95013.7927.5972108 E1918.67210d/15-548.395meshes depth F1918.67210d/15-548.3910meshesdepth
T a b le 2 . M a t e r ia ls used f o r making a s m a ll r in g n e t .
P a r t s o f n e t S p e c if ic a t io n s o f m a t e r ia ls
Wing s e c t io n s (A and A 1) 15 r o l l s N y lo n n e t t i n g No. 2 1 0 d /6 , 7K, 200 MD (PAMO)
F i r s t s h o u ld e r (B and B1) 32 r o l l s N y lo n n e t t i n g No. 2 1 0 d /6 , 10K, 200 MD (PAMO) Second s h o u ld e r (C and C1) 24 r o l l s N y lo n n e t t i n g No. 2 1 0 d /6 ,
13K, 200 MD (PAMO) B u n t s e c t io n (D) 4 r o l l s N y lo n n e t t i n g No. 2 10d / 9 ,
14K, 200 MD (PAMO) S e lva g e (E and F) 1 r o l l N y lo n n e t t i n g No. 2 1 0 d /1 5 ,
7K, 200 MD (PAMO)
P urse l i n e 4 c o i l s E v e lo n ro p e No. 2A
F lo a t l i n e 9 c o i l s E v e lo n ro p e No. 16
Lead l i n e 8 c o i l s E v e lo n rop e No. 12
B r i d l e l i n e 1 c o i l E v e lo n ro p e No. 16
F lo a t s 2 ,4 9 0 p ie c e s S y n t h e t ic F lo a t s No. 16 ( C lo v e r )
S in k e rs 414 k i l o s Lead S in k e r No. A
Tom w e ig h t 130 k i l o s Lead ( a s s o r te d s iz e s )
R in g s 45 p ie c e s B ra s s R in g 10 cm d ia m e te r
M ending tw in e 60 s p o o ls N y lo n tw in e No. 2 1 0 d/6
S t a p lin g tw in e 50 s p o o ls N y lo n tw in e No. 2 1 0 d/1 2
T a b le 3 . E s tim a te d c o s t o f v e s s e ls , equ ipm ent and m a t e r ia ls f o r a s m a ll r i n g n e t f i s h i n g o u t f i t .
I . FISHING BOAT/BANCA
U n it V e s s e ls U n it P r ic e T o t a l
1 M o th e r B oat ( 1 6 .0 5 m x 1 .8 5 m x 1.23 m)
c o m p le te w it h a c c e s s o rie s P 8 5 ,0 0 0 P 8 5 ,0 0 0 1 S e r v ic e Banca ( 9 .2 6 m x 0 .9 3 m x 0 .6 2 m) 5 ,0 0 0 5 ,0 0 0 S u b - T o ta l P 9 0 ,0 0 0
I I . ENGINES
U n it E quipm ent U n it P r ic e T o t a l
1 F u s o -C a n te r E n g in e 4DR5 ( s u r p lu s )
c o m p le te w it h a c c e s s o rie s P 2 1 ,0 0 0 P 2 1 ,0 0 0 1 B r ig g s and S t r a t t o n E n g in e (16 H .P .)
c o m p le te w it h a c c e s s o rie s 12,300 12,300
S u b - T o ta l P 3 3 ,3 0 0
I I I . NETTING, ROPES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES
Q u a n t it y M a t e r ia ls U n it P r ic e T o t a l
1 r o l l M u l t i - n y l o n N e t t in g No. 2 1 0 d /1 5 ,
7K, 200 MD (PAMO) P 2 ,3 5 0 P 2 ,3 5 0
4 r o l l s M u l t i - n y l o n N e t t in g No. 2 1 0 d /9 ,
14K, 200 MD (PAMO) 2 ,2 1 7 8 ,8 6 8
24 r o l l s M u l t i - n y l o n N e t t in g No. 2 1 0 d /6 ,
13K, 200MD (PAMO) 2,1 41 5 1 ,38 4
32 r o l l s M u l t i - n y l o n N e t t in g No. 2 1 0 d /6 ,
10K, 200 MD (PAMO) 1,947 6 2 ,304
15 r o d s M u l t i - n y l o n N e t t in g No. 2 1 0 d /6 ,
7K, 200 MD (PAMO) 1,694 2 5 ,41 0
60 s p o o ls N y lo n tw in e No. 2 1 0 d /6 9 .0 0 540
50 s p o o ls N y lo n tw in e No. 2 10d/12 9 .0 0 450
T a b le 3 . ( c o n t 'd )
Q u a n t it y M a t e r ia ls U n it P r ic e T o t a l
8 c o i l s E v e lo n rope No. 12 2 0 0 .0 0 1,600
10 c o i l s E v e lo n ro p e No. 16 3 6 4 .0 0 3 ,6 4 0
4 c o i l s E v e lo n ro p e No. 24 8 3 5 .0 0 3 ,3 4 0
490 p ie c e s S y n t h e t ic f l o a t s No. 16 (CLOVER) 2 4 .0 0 5 9,760
45 p ie c e s B ra ss r in g 10 cm d ia m e te r 4 5 .0 0 2 ,0 25
414 k i l o s Lead s in k e r No. 4 18.50 7,659
130 k i l o s Lead s in k e r ( a s s o r te d s iz e d ) 18 .50 2 ,4 05 S u b -T o ta l ₱ 2 31,735 Grand T o t a l ₱ 35 5 ,0 3 5
N o te : Q uoted p r ic e s as a t J u ly 1984
Fig.1Deckarrangementofatypicalsmallringnetboat.
Fig.2Outboard profileof asmallringnetboat.
A t y p i c a l s m a ll r i n g n e t f i s h i n g o u t f i t i s n o r m a lly o p e ra te d by 18 t o 25 fis h e rm e n on b o a rd a f i s h i n g b o a t o f t h r e e t o s l i g h t l y o v e r e ig h t g ro s s t o n s .
METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION Take n y lo n n e t t i n g No. 210 d / 6 , 7K (5 .0 8 cm mesh s t r e t c h e d ) w it h a le n g th o f 1,485 m e te rs and a d e p th o f 200 meshes and c u t i t i n t o te n e q u a l p a r t s , th e r e b y m aking each s t r i p measure 148.5 m e te rs lo n g by 200 meshes deep. By th e mesh t o mesh m ethod, j o i n th e f i v e s t r i p s o f t h i s n e t t i n g a lo n g t h e i r le n g th t o make a w h ole p ie c e m e a su rin g 148.5 m e te rs lo n g by 1,0 0 0 meshes deep, th e n mark i t S e c tio n A. F o llo w in g th e same p r o c e d u re , j o i n th e o t h e r f i v e s t r i p s o f n e t t i n g and mark th e w h ole p ie c e S e c tio n A1 (se e F ig . 3 ) .
Measure and c u t e ig h t s t r i p s o f n y lo n
n e t t i n g No. 210 d / 6 , 10K (3 .7 8 cm mesh s t r e t c h e d ) , each s t r i p m e a su rin g 198 m e te rs lo n g by 200
meshes deep. J o in th e s t r i p s a lo n g t h e i r le n g th b y th e mesh t o mesh method i n o r d e r t o make a w h o le p ie c e m e a s u rin g 198 m e te rs lo n g by 1,600 meshes deep, th e n mark i t S e c tio n B.
From th e same m a t e r i a l, measure and c u t a n o th e r e ig h t s t r i p s o f n e t t i n g w it h each s t r i p 198 m e te rs lo n g by 200 meshes deep. F o llo w th e
same p ro c e d u re f o r j o i n i n g and mark th e w h ole p ie c e as S e c tio n B1 (see F ig . 3 ) .
U s in g a l t e r n a t e l y r a t i o s 1 :2 and 1:1 ( o r 5 : 8 ) , j o i n t o g e t h e r th e s id e s o f S e c tio n s A and B, th e n S e c tio n s A1 and B1 a lo n g t h e i r
d e p th (see F ig . 3 ) .
Fig. 3 Method of joining sections A and B of small ring net
Fig. 4 Method of joining sections B and C of small ring net.
F ig . 5 Method o f j o i n i n g s e c t io n D t o S e c tio n s C and C1 o f s m a ll r in g n e t.
F ig . 6 Upper s e lv a g e p ie c e ( s e c t io n E) and lo w e r s e lv a g e p ie c e ( s e c t io n F) and s m a ll r i n g n e t .
Measure and c u t tw e lv e s t r i p s o f n y lo n n e t t i n g No. 210 d / 6 , 13K ( 2 .5 4 cm mesh s t r e t c h e d ) each s t r i p m e a s u rin g 99 m e te rs lo n g b y 200
meshes deep. Make a mesh t o mesh j o i n t on th e s id e s o f each s t r i p a lo n g t h e i r d e p th t o make a w h o le p ie c e o f n e t t i n g m e a s u rin g 99 m e te rs lo n g by 2 ,4 0 0 meshes deep, th e n mark i t S e c tio n C. From th e same m a t e r i a l , measure and c u t a n o th e r tw e lv e s t r i p s o f n e t t i n g w it h each s t r i p 99 m e te rs lo n g by 200 meshes deep.
F o llo w th e same p ro c e d u re f o r j o i n i n g and mark th e w h ole p ie c e as S e c tio n C1 (see F ig . 4 ) .
W ith a r a t i o n o f 2 : 3 , j o i n th e s id e s o f S e c tio n s B and C, th e n S e c tio n s B1 and C1 a lo n g t h e i r d e p th (see F ig . 4 ) .
Measure and c u t s i x s t r i p s o f n y lo n
n e t t i n g No. 210 d / 9 , 14K (2 .3 4 cm mesh s t r e t c h e d ) w it h each s t r i p 5 6 .1 6 m e te rs lo n g b y 200 meshes deep. J o in th e s id e s o f th e s t r i p s a lo n g t h e i r le n g th b y th e mesh t o mesh method i n o r d e r t o make a w h o le p ie c e o f n e t t i n g m e a s u rin g 5 6 .1 6 m e te rs lo n g by 1,2 0 0 meshes deep, th e n mark i t S e c tio n D.
P la c e S e c tio n D between th e two la r g e p ie c e s o f jo in e d n e t t in g s ( i . e . S e c tio n s A, B and C; and S e c tio n s C1 , B1 and A1) i n such a manner t h a t th e s t r i p s o f n e t t i n g a re r u n n in g v e r t i c a l l y , w h ile th o s e o f th e two la r g e p ie c e s a re p la c e d h o r i z o n t a l l y . W ith a r a t i o o f 1 :1 , j o i n one s id e o f S e c tio n D t o S e c tio n C and th e o t h e r s id e t o S e c tio n C1 (see F ig . 5 ) .
Measure and c u t a s t r i p o f n y lo n n e t t i n g No. 210 d /1 5 , 7K (5 /0 8 cm mesh s t r e t c h e d ) w it h a le n g th o f 9 1 8 .6 m e te rs and a d e p th o f f i v e meshes. Mark i t S e c tio n E. From th e same m a t e r i a l, measure and c u t a n o th e r s t r i p 91 8 .6 m e te rs lo n g by te n meshes deep, and mark i t as S e c tio n F (see F ig . 6 ) .
J o in th e u p p e r s e lv a g e p ie c e marked E t o th e o t h e r p ie c e s w it h th e f o ll o w i n g ta k e -u p r a t i o s :
E t o A and E t o A1 - 1 :1 E t o B and E t o B1 - 3 :4 E t o C and E to C1 - 1 :2
E t o D - 3 :1 3
J o in a ls o th e lo w e r s e lv a g e p ie c e marked F t o th e o th e r p ie c e s w it h th e f o ll o w i n g ta k e -u p r a t i o s :
F t o A and F t o A 1 - 1:1 F t o B and F t o B1 - 3 :4 F t o C and F t o C1 - 1:2
F t o D - 3 :1 3
Pass an E v e lo n ro p e No. 16 th ro u g h th e o u t e r meshes o f th e u p p e r s e lv a g e t o s e rv e as th e in n e r h a n g in g l i n e . Spread o u t th e n e t t i n g a lo n g th e l i n e t o d i s t r i b u t e th e s la c k f o ll o w i n g th e r e q u ir e d f in i s h e d measurement i n e v e ry
s e c t io n o f th e n e t t i n g as g iv e n i n th e s t r u c t u r a l p la n (see F ig . 7 ) . A llo w a c o n s id e r a b le le n g th o f E v e lo n ro p e No. 16 f o r th e o u t e r h a n g in g l i n e .
J o in t o g e t h e r th e two h a n g in g li n e s by s t a p l i n g , a f t e r a llo w in g th e d e s ir e d h a n g in g r a t i o f o r each s e c t io n o f th e n e t .
Pass a n o th e r E v e lo n ro p e No. 16 th ro u g h th e s y n t h e t ic f l o a t s . F o llo w th e d i s t r i b u t i o n p a t t e r n o f f l o a t s as s p e c i f i e d f o r each s e c t io n
o f th e n e t t i n g , th e n s t a p le t o g e t h e r th e f l o a t and h a n g in g l i n e s .
W h ile th e a c t i v i t i e s d is c u s s e d above a re b e in g c a r r ie d o u t by one g roup o f n e t m akers, a n o th e r group s h o u ld be a s s ig n e d t o w ork on th e lo w e r s e lv a g e p o r t io n o f th e n e t .
Pass an E v e lo n ro p e No. 12 th ro u g h th e o u t e r meshes o f th e lo w e r s e lv a g e . D i s t r i b u t e th e s la c k s o f n e t t i n g i n th e same manner as i s b e in g done f o r th e f l o a t l i n e . Hang th e n e t t o a n o th e r E v e lo n ro p e No. 12 by s t a p li n g th e two h a n g in g li n e s o b s e rv in g th e p r e s c r ib e d h a n g in g p e rc e n ta g e . Pass an E v e lo n ro p e No. 12 th ro u g h th e le a d s in k e r s No. 4 . F o llo w th e d i s t r i b u t i o n p a t t e r n o f th e s in k e r s as s p e c i f i e d f o r e v e ry s e c t io n o f th e n e t t i n g , th e n s t a p le to g e t h e r th e le a d and h a n g in g l i n e s .
Cut f o r t y p ie c e s o f E v e lo n ro p e No. 16 m e a s u rin g 1 .8 m e te rs each f o r th e b r i d l e l i n e s . A tta c h a b ra s s r i n g w it h a d ia m e te r o f 10 cm t o th e end o f each b r i d l e l i n e . Secure th e o t h e r ends t o th e le a d l i n e s t a r t i n g fro m one end o f th e n e t and o b s e rv in g th e d is ta n c e s between r in g s as shown i n th e s t r u c t u r a l p la n ( F ig . 7 ) .
Fig. 7 Structural
pla n o f a s m a ll r i n g n e t
METHOD OF OPERATION
A s m a ll r i n g n e t i s e i t h e r o p e ra te d d u r in g th e day o r a t n i g h t , d ep ending on th e p re s e n c e and volum e o f f i s h .
A f i s h i n g o p e r a tio n s t a r t s as soon as th e b o a ts le a v e f o r th e f i s h i n g g ro u n d . F is h d e t e c t io n i s th e f i r s t phase o f th e o p e r a tio n and t h i s i s done by e m p lo y in g v a r io u s s c o u tin g te c h n iq u e s o r in s p e c t in g f i s h s h e lt e r s and v i s i t i n g li g h t e d
"b a n c a s " a t n i g h t t o d e te rm in e th e volum e o f f i s h t h a t have been lu r e d o r a t t r a c t e d .
A. FISH DETECTION
The d i f f e r e n t methods used i n s c o u tin g a s c h o o l o f f i s h a re g e n e r a lly o f a p r a c t i c a l n a t u r e . T h is i s due p r i m a r i l y t o th e f a c t t h a t s o p h is t ic a t e d e l e c t r o n i c d e v ic e s such as f i s h f in d e r s a re g e n e r a lly beyond th e means o f th e s m a ll- s c a le fis h e r m e n . Hence, i t i s d u r in g t h i s phase o f th e o p e r a tio n t h a t th e s k i l l and
e x p e rie n c e o f th e m a s te r fis h e rm a n a re e s s e n t ia l i n f i s h d e t e c t io n . T hrough v is u a l means and keen o b s e r v a tio n o f th e s u r fa c e o f th e s u rro u n d in g w a te r s , he w i l l se a rc h f o r th e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t h a t n o r m a lly in d ic a t e th e p re s e n c e o f f i s h .
D a ytim e s c o u tin g f o r th e p re s e n c e o f a s c h o o l o f f i s h , known l o c a l l y as " p a n g a la k " , i s done by lo o k in g f o r s im p le in d ic a t i o n s such as th e d i s t i n c t i v e c o l o r a t i o n o f th e w a te r , th e p re s e n c e o f a f l o c k o f b i r d s , s m a ll b u b b le s o r r i p p l e s e m itte d on th e w a t e r 's s u r fa c e , and w a v e le ts a s s o c ia te d w it h f i s h movement.
"P a n g a la k " i s d iv id e d i n t o o b s e r v a tio n s done i n th e e a r ly m o rn in g c a lle d " p a u lb o " and th o s e done i n th e l a t e a fte r n o o n c a l le d " p a la b o " .
N ig h t tim e s c o u tin g o r "pangamag" i s a n o th e r p r a c t i c a l method used f o r s e a rc h in g a s c h o o l o f f i s h by means o f th e lu m in e s c e n c e r e f l e c t e d by th e f i s h on th e w a te rs s u r fa c e as th e y swim a ro u n d . A s k i l l e d m a s te r fis h e rm a n can d e te rm in e th e s p e c ie s and volume o f f i s h fro m th e n a tu r e and e x t e n t o f th e lu m in e s c e n c e . S c o u tin g a t n i g h t i s fo u n d to be e s p e c ia l ly e f f e c t i v e d u r in g m oonless n i g h t s .
The p re s e n c e o f f i s h i n f i s h s h e lt e r s o r
"p a y a o " i s d e te rm in e d e i t h e r by th e c o m b in a tio n o f th e d i f f e r e n t methods m e n tio n e d above o r by means o f d iv e r s who make u n d e rw a te r o b s e r v a tio n s t o e s tim a te th e volum e o f f i s h . F o r f i s h i n li g h t e d "b a n c a s " , o b s e r v a tio n s a re made e i t h e r o f t h e lu m in e s c e n c e o r d a r t in g movements o f f is h e s
b e in g a t t r a c t e d o r th e appearance o f s m a ll b u b b le s o r r i p p l e s on th e w a t e r 's s u r fa c e . Sometim es, w e ig h te d l i n e s a re lo w e re d i n t o th e w a te r and th e p re se n ce o f f i s h i s d e te c te d th ro u g h th e v i b r a t i o n s t r a n s m it t e d a lo n g th e l i n e .
U s u a lly a s m a ll r i n g n e t o u t f i t has a t le a s t one m o to riz e d banca used as a s e r v ic e o r s c o u t " b a n c a " . T h is i s employed t o p a t r o l th e f i s h i n g groun ds i n se a rc h o f a s c h o o l o f f i s h and a ls o t o v i s i t f i s h s h e lt e r s o r li g h t e d
"b a n c a s " a t n i g h t . Whenever a c o n s id e r a b le volum e o f f i s h has been fo u n d , th e s c o u t "b a n c a "
lo s e s no tim e i n r e la y in g p re a rra n g e d s ig n a ls t o th e m o th e r b o a t, t o w h ic h th e l a t t e r respon ds as i t head i n th e d i r e c t i o n where th e s c h o o l o f f i s h has been lo c a t e d .
The m o th e r b o a t slo w s down as i t approaches th e a re a where th e s c h o o l o f f i s h i s c o n c e n tra te d and th e e n g in e i s s h i f t e d i n t o n e u t r a l g e a r.
T h is i s done to a llo w th e m a s te r fis h e rm a n to o b se rve th e f i s h b e h a v io u r, as w e ll as th e d i r e c t i o n o f th e p re d o m in a n t w in d o r w a te r c u r r e n t . The b o a t th e n moves aro u n d th e s c h o o l a t a r a d iu s o f abo u t 30 m e te rs . T h is method i s g e n e r a lly used when th e s c h o o l o f f i s h i s n o t v e r y a c t iv e as i s th e case when i t has been lu r e d i n t o f i s h s h e lt e r s o r a t t r a c t e d b y l i g h t s .
The most d i f f i c u l t phase o f th e o p e r a tio n , how ever, i s d u r in g d a y tim e o r n ig h t tim e s c o u n tin g , when th e s c h o o l i s e i t h e r a c t i v e l y fe e d in g o r t r a v e l l i n g a c o u rs e . The m o th e r b o a t and th e s c o u t "b a n c a " have t o keep pace w it h th e speed and d i r e c t i o n o f th e s c h o o l o f f i s h . Keen o b s e r v a tio n i n t h i s case i s e s s e n t i a l i n o r d e r n o t t o lo s e s ig h t o f th e m oving s c h o o l, and p ro p e r t im in g i s li k e w is e r e q u ir e d i n s e t t i n g th e n e t .
The p ro c e d u re s f o r s e t t i n g , p u r s in g and h a u lin g th e n e t d e s c rib e d b e lo w a re i l l u s t r a t e d
i n F ig u r e 8.
F ig . 8 O p e ra tio n o f s m a ll r i n g n e t .
B. SETTING THE NET
The n e t i s s e t i n th e d i r e c t i o n o f th e w in d o r w a te r c u r r e n t w h ic h e v e r i s d o m in a n t, e x c e p t when th e a b o ve -m e n tio n e d f a c t o r s a re to o s t r o n g .
F i r s t a buo y, t i e d w it h a c o n s id e r a b le le n g t h o f ro p e t o th e end o f th e f l o a t l i n e , i s th ro w n o v e rb o a rd . P a y in g o u t th e c o i l s o f n e t s t a r t s as th e m o th e r b o a t moves t o e n c i r c l e th e f i s h . A d iv e r jum ps i n t o th e w a te r as soon as th e u p p e r w in g end p o r t i o n o f th e n e t has been th ro w n o u t i n o r d e r t o f i x i t s p o s i t i o n and t o h o ld th e lo o s e end o f th e p u rs e tim e . P ro p e r t im in g i s e s s e n t ia l d u r in g th e e n c i r c l i n g o p e r a tio n t o e nsu re t h a t b o th ends o f th e n e t m eet. When th e l a s t p o r t io n o f th e n e t has been th ro w n o u t , a n o th e r d i v e r h o ld in g th e o th e r end o f th e p u rs e l i n e m ust im m e d ia te ly jump i n t o th e w a te r .
Upon c o m p le tio n o f th e c i r c l e , th e e n g in e i s s h i f t e d i n t o n e u t r a l g e a r and th e n b ro u g h t t o a s to p . F is h in g crew members p o s i t i o n
th e m s e lv e s i n p r e - d e s ig n a te d a re a s o f th e m o th e r b o a t. The buoy l i n e s a re hooked up and r e t r ie v e d on b o a rd , g r a d u a lly h a u lin g i n b o th ends o f th e f l o a t l i n e s i n o r d e r t o keep th e b r e a s t l i n e s o f , th e n e t p a r a l l e l to each o t h e r . The f r e e ends o f th e p u rs e l i n e b e in g h e ld by th e d iv e r s a re passed up t o th e crew members abo ard th e b o a t, who i n t u r n w i l l pass them th ro u g h th e s li n g s on th e tom w e ig h t. The l a t t e r i s th e n r e le a s e d u n t i l i t re a ch e s th e b o tto m c o rn e rs o f th e n e t .
I t s h o u ld be n o te d t h a t b r i g h t l y c o lo u re d buoys m ust be used as m a rk e rs t o d i s t i n g u i s h them e a s i l y . D u rin g n ig h t - t im e o p e r a tio n s , i t i s n e c e s s a ry t o p r o v id e th e buoys w it h a l i g h t so t h a t th e y can be e a s i l y seen.
C. PURSING
P u rs in g i s s t a r t e d im m e d ia te ly a f t e r s e t t i n g th e n e t . The f r e e ends o f th e p u rs e l i n e a re wound two o r t h r e e tim e s around th e head o f th e l i n e h a u le r . The tr a n s m is s io n i s th e n engaged t o s t a r t th e o p e r a tio n o f th e l i n e h a u le r t o heave i n th e p u rs e l i n e s . I f th e l i n e h a u le r i s m a n u a lly o p e ra te d , two fis h e rm e n ,
one on each s id e , t u r n i t s y s t e m a t ic a lly to c lo s e th e b o tto m o f th e n e t . They a re a s s is te d by a n o th e r two fis h e rm e n who ta k e a f i r m h o ld o f th e p u rs e l i n e and p u l l b o th ends s im u lt a n
e o u s ly t o p re v e n t th e l i n e fro m s li p p i n g because o f th e tom w e ig h t. A n o th e r fis h e rm a n
c o i l s th e p u rs e l i n e . The manual l i n e h a u le r must be tu rn e d as f a s t as p o s s ib le t o p re v e n t th e f i s h fro m d iv in g and e s c a p in g b e lo w th e le a d l i n e s o f th e n e t .
A sp a re l i n e , w h ic h i s p r o v id e d w it h s t r i p s o f w h ite p l a s t i c m a t e r ia l and a s to n e w e ig h t a t t h e end , i s dropped in s id e th e e n c lo s u r e form ed by th e n e t , d i r e c t l y o p p o s ite th e b r e a s t l i n e s . T h is sp a re l i n e must be moved up and down
c o n t in u o u s ly t o p re v e n t th e f i s h fro m g e t t in g n e a r th e b r e a s t l i n e s and escape th ro u g h th e o p e n in g . A t n i g h t , a f la s h l i g h t i s used and
d ir e c t e d on th e o p e n in g o f th e b r e a s t l i n e . The l i g h t i s made t o c r is s c r o s s p a r a l l e l to th e le n g t h o f th e f i s h i n g b o a t. Extrem e c a re must be ta k e n n o t to d i r e c t th e l i g h t on th e s c h o o l o f f i s h so as n o t to s c a re them o u t o f th e e n c lo s u r e .
W h ile t h i s i s b e in g done, th e o th e r f i s h i n g crew members g r a d u a lly p u l l th e f l o a t l i n e s and p la c e them on deck a lo n g th e gunwale o f th e m o th e r b o a t engaged i n th e h a u lin g o p e r a t io n . A c o n s id e r a b le le n g t h o f ro p e i s t i e d to th e m id s h ip p o r t io n o f th e m o th e r b o a t and th e s e r v ic e "b a n c a " p u l l s th e b o a t i n th e o p p o s ite d i r e c t i o n t o th e f o r c e o f a c t io n to p re v e n t d e fo r m a tio n o f th e n e t .
Once th e b o tto m o f th e n e t has been c lo s e d , th e tom w e ig h t, in c lu d in g th e bunch o f r in g s , i s h a u le d a b o a rd .
D. HAULING THE NET
A h a u lin g o p e r a tio n i s done e i t h e r on th e p o r t o r s ta rb o a r d s id e depending on th e d e s ig n o f th e b o a t. The f i s h i n g crew members h a u l th e w in g s and body o f th e n e t m a n u a lly on b o a rd th e
b o a t i n a r h y th m ic m o tio n , f o ll o w i n g th e u n d u la tin g movement o f th e waves. The o p e r a tio n must be
p r o p e r ly s y n c h ro n iz e d to e v e n ly d i s t r i b u t e th e s la c k o f th e n e t . H a u lin g must c o n tin u e u n t i l th e f i s h a re c o n c e n tra te d a t th e b u n t p o r t io n o f th e n e t . The c a tc h i s th e n b a ile d o u t w it h a la r g e scoop o r d ip n e t , and p la c e d i n boxe s.
OPERATION OF A FISH SHELTER
G e n e r a lly , s m a ll r i n g n e t f i s h i n g in v o lv e s th e use o f an a c c e s s o ry d e v ic e c a lle d a f i s h s h e l t e r , l o c a l l y known as " p a y a o " , f o r a t t r a c t i n g s c h o o ls o f f i s h , m a in ly s u r fa c e swimming s p e c ie s , such as s a r d in e / h e r r i n g , m a c k e re l, sca d , tu n a and t u n a - l i k e f i s h e s .
A f i s h s h e l t e r c o n s is ts o f an anchored bamboo r a f t p r o v id e d w it h c o c o n u t le a v e s w h ich a f f o r d a r e fu g e f o r th e f i s h . A lg a e and o t h e r m a rin e l i f e t h a t become a tta c h e d t o and grow on th e s e le a v e s a re fo o d f o r s m a lle r f is h e s w h ic h i n t u r n s e rv e as b a i t t o a t t r a c t tu n a and s i m i l a r s p e c ie s o f f i s h t h a t fe e d on them .
On d a rk n i g h t s , th e f i s h s h e l t e r i s p r o v id e d w it h l i g h t s t o a t t r a c t th e f i s h . I t i s checked r e g u l a r l y t o a s c e r t a in w h e th e r th e s c h o o l o f f i s h i s la r g e enough t o w a rr a n t i t s c a p t u r e .
I f , upon in s p e c t io n , th e q u a n t i t y o f f i s h i s fo u n d t o be c o n s id e r a b le , th e m a s te r fis h e rm a n i s im m e d ia te ly n o t i f i e d and he in fo r m s h is
f i s h i n g crew abo u t th e o p e r a tio n t o be c o n d u c te d . The n e t i s th e n p re p a re d f o r s e t t i n g .
The a n ch o r ro p e o f th e f i s h s h e l t e r is d ise n g a g e d fro m th e r a f t and a llo w e d t o d r i f t c le a r o f th e a n ch o r l i n e . The n e t i s payed o u t i n a c i r c l e aroun d th e f i s h s h e l t e r and h a u lin g f o llo w s th e p ro c e d u re d e s c r ib e d above.
A f t e r each h a u lin g o p e r a t io n , th e f i s h s h e l t e r i s towed back and s e c u re d t o i t s a nch or ro p e .
SYSTEM OF SHARING PROCEEDS FROM THE CATCH As f o r o t h e r ty p e s o f f i s h i n g g e a r, th e t r a d i t i o n a l p r a c t ic e o f s h a r in g th e income o f a s m a ll r i n g n e t f i s h i n g o p e r a tio n has up t o th e p r e s e n t been adopted by F i l i p i n o fis h e rm e n . The s h a r in g scheme, ho w e ve r, may d i f f e r s l i g h t l y
fro m one p la c e t o a n o th e r o r i n acco rd a n ce w ith th e agreem ent between th e f i s h i n g b o a t o p e r a to r and th e f i s h i n g c re w s.
F i r s t , th e t o t a l e x p e n d itu r e in c u r r e d d u r in g th e f i s h i n g o p e r a tio n , such as c ru d e o i l , g a s o lin e , l u b r i c a n t s , s u b s is te n c e o f th e crew members and m is c e lla n e o u s expenses, i s d ed ucte d
fro m th e g ro s s e a rn in g s d e r iv e d fro m th e s a le o f th e c a tc h . The n e t p ro ce e d s a re th e n d iv id e d i n t o two e q u a l p a r t s between th e f i s h i n g b o a t o p e r a to r and th e crew members.
The sh a re o f th e o p e r a to r i s most o f t e n used f o r th e upkeep o f th e f i s h i n g o u t f i t and i t s e q u ip m e n t, payment o f lo a n a m o r t iz a t io n o r as a r e t u r n f o r h i s c a p i t a l in v e s t m e n t as th e case may be.
The sh a re o f th e crew members, on th e o t h e r han d, i s d iv id e d among them as payment f o r th e work done d u r in g th e f i s h i n g o p e r a t io n . The number o f sh a re s f o r each fis h e rm a n v a r ie s
a c c o rd in g t o h i s p o s i t i o n o r th e n a tu r e o f th e work u n d e rta k e n d u r in g th e o p e r a tio n .
An example o f th e s h a r in g scheme g e n e r a lly fo llo w e d by crew members o f a s m a ll r i n g n e t f i s h i n g e s ta b lis h m e n t i s g iv e n b e lo w :
No. o f Crew Members
D e s ig n a tio n / P o s it io n
Number o f sh a re s
1 M a s te rfis h e rm a n 2 sh a re s p lu s 15%
o f th e o p e r a t o r 's sh a re
2 M a rin e e n g in e e rs 2 s h a re s each
2 D iv e rs 1¼ sh a re s each
p lu s 5% o f th e o p e r a t o r 's sh a re 4 Net o p e ra to r s 1¼ s h a re s each
1 Cook 1¼ sh a re s
1 S e rv ic e "b a n c a "
o p e r a to r 1¼ sh a re s
7 O r d in a r y fis h e rm e n 1¼ sh a re s each T o t a l 18
When th e f i s h has been ca u g h t th ro u g h th e a id o f a f i s h s h e l t e r o r a li g h t e d " b a n c a " , one- t h i r d o f th e v a lu e o f th e t o t a l c a tc h o r g ro s s e a rn in g s fro m th e s a le o f f i s h i s s e t a s id e as th e sh a re o f th e owner o f th e f i s h s h e l t e r o r o p e r a to r o f th e li g h t e d " b a n c a " . As f o r th e re m a in in g t w o - t h ir d s s h a re o f th e c a tc h o r g ro s s e a rn in g s fro m s a le s , a s i m i l a r p ro c e d u re as d e s c r ib e d above i s f o llo w e d , i . e . , th e o p e r a tin g expenses a re d e d u cte d and th e n e t income i s s h a re d .
T a b le 4 g iv e s th e re c o rd e d c a tc h o f a t y p i c a l s m a ll r i n g n e t f i s h i n g o u t f i t , in c lu d in g th e volum e and g ro s s s a le s o f th e c a tc h by
s p e c ie s o f f i s h .
T a b le 4 . Recorded c a tc h o f a t y p i c a l s m a ll r in g n e t f i s h i n g o u t f i t .
Month (1983)
Number of days in operation
Volume of catch (kg)
Gross Sales of Catch ( i n Pesos)
Species of fis h
January 7 4,454.0 ₱ 14,393.00 Frigate tuna, round
scad, yellow f in tuna
February 18 16,457.0 51,446.00 Frigate tuna, round
scad, slipmouth
March 14 8,372,0 25,138.00 Frigate tuna, h a lf
beak, slipmouth
April 17 16,059.0 40,756.00 Frigate tuna,
sardi ne/herring
May 17 4,658.0 16,441.00 Frigate tuna,
slipmouth
June 17 266.0 956.00 Frigate tuna,
Spanish mackerel
July * - - - -
August 13 48.4 252.00 Sard i ne/herring,
m ullet
September 20 256.0 1, 261.00 Frigate tuna,
garfish
October ** - - - -
November 4 193.5 1,679.00 Frigate tuna
December 3 64.5 451.00 Frigate tuna
TOTAL 130 50,828.4 ₱ 152,773.00
* No fis h in g operation. Fishing boat was dry docked.
* * No fis h in g operation owing to adverse weather conditions and off-seasonal occurrence of fis h .
LIST OF SAFIS EXTENSION MANUALS
SEC/SM/1 Khumua lia n g p la namcheut (F re s h w a te r F is h F a rm in g : How t o B e g in ) ,
( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ; t r a n s la t e d : T h a i) SEC/SM/2 O y s te r C u lt u r e ( o r i g i n a l : Bahasa M a la y s ia ;
t r a n s la t e d : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/3 M ussel C u lt u r e ( o r i g i n a l : Bahasa M a la y s ia ; t r a n s la t e d : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/4 Ang pagpuna ug p a g ta p a k sa p u k o t (Net Mending and P a tc h in g ) , ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ; t r a n s la t e d : C e buan o-B isaya )
SEC/SM/5 M ussel F arm ing ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/6 M e n te rn a k Ik a n A ir t a w a r (F re s h w a te r F is h F a rm in g : How to B e g in ) , ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ; t r a n s la t e d : Bahasa M a la y s ia )
SEC/SM/7 Makanan dan Pemakanan Udang H a rim a u, Penaeus monodon ( N u t r i t i o n and F eeding o f Sugpo, Penaeus monodon) , ( o r i g i n a l :
E n g lis h ; t r a n s la t e d : Bahasa M a la y s ia ) SEC/SM/8 M acro bra chiu m C u lt u r e ( o r i g i n a l : T h a i;
t r a n s la t e d : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/9 S e le c t io n o f M a rin e Sh rim p f o r C u ltu r e ( o r i g i n a l : T h a i; t r a n s l a t e d : E n g lis h ) SEC/SM/10 Induced B re e d in g o f T h a i S i l v e r Carp ( o r i g i n a l : T h a i; t r a n s la t e d : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/11 C u lt u r e o f Sea Bass ( o r i g i n a l : T h a i;
t r a n s l a t e d : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/12 S m o k e -c u rin g o f F is h ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ) SEC/SM/13 C o c k le C u lt u r e ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/14 N et Mending and P a tc h in g ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ) SEC/SM/15 K a n lia n g hoy m alangphu (M ussel F a rm in g ),
( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ; t r a n s la t e d : T h a i) SEC/SM/16 N u rs e ry Management o f Prawns ( o r i g i n a l :
Bahasa In d o n e s ia ; t r a n s la t e d : E n g lis h ) SEC/SM/17 C u lt u r e o f S u lta n F is h (L e p to b a rb u s
h o e v e n ii) , ( o r i g i n a l : Bahasa M a la y s ia ; t r a n s l a t e d : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/18 The Use o f th e T r a d i t i o n a l D ry in g Method and S o la r D r ie r f o r C ro a k e r, M u lle t and H e r r in g ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/19 Shrim p C u lt u r e ( o r i g i n a l : T h a i; t r a n s la t e d : E n g lis h )
SEC/SM/20 Rok P la a ( F is h D is e a s e s ), ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ; t r a n s la t e d : T h a i)
SEC/SM/21 K a n lia n g phomae pan kung kuladam (B ro o d s to c k o f Sugpo, Penaeus monodon, F a b r i c i u s ) ,
( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ; t r a n s la t e d : T h a i) SEC/SM/22 N a kakaing K ru s ta s y o ng P i l i p i n a s ( F ie l d
G uide t o E d ib le C ru s ta c e a o f th e P h i l i p p i n e s ) , ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ; t r a n s la t e d : T a g a lo g )
SEC/SM/23 Khumua k a n lia n g p la a n a i k ra s a n g t h i S in g a p o re la e In d o n e s ia ( F lo a t in g N e t- cage F is h F an nin g i n S in g a p o re and I n d o n e s ia ) , ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h ; t r a n s la t e d : T h a i)
SEC/SM/24 S m a ll Ring N et F is h in g ( o r i g i n a l : E n g lis h )
SAFIS
0 What i s SAFIS?
SAFIS i s th e S o u th e a s t A s ia n F is h e r ie s I n fo r m a tio n S e r v ic e . I t i s a p r o je c t o f th e SEAFDEC S e c r e t a r ia t s e t up to p r o v id e e x te n s io n m a t e r ia ls f o r
s m a ll- s c a le fis h e rm e n and f i s h fa rm e rs i n th e r e g io n .
0 What a re i t s o b je c tiv e s ?
The im m e d ia te o b je c t iv e s a re to c o l l e c t and c o m p ile f i s h e r i e s e x te n s io n m a n u a ls, b ro c h u re s , p a m p h le ts and r e la t e d a id s f o r s m a ll- s c a le f i s h e r i e s d e ve lo p m e n t, and t o t r a n s l a t e s e le c te d l i t e r a t u r e i n t o l o c a l la n g u a g e s f o r d i s t r i b u t i o n t o f i s h e r i e s e x te n s io n w o rk e rs i n S o u th e a s t A s ia .
0 What s e r v ic e s w i l l SAFIS p ro v id e ?
SAFIS w i l l a tte m p t t o p r o v id e in f o r m a t io n and p u b li c a t i o n s such as:
l i s t s o f a v a i la b le t e x t s i n f i s h e r i e s e x te n s io n s e r v ic e s , t r a n s l a t i o n o f s u i t a b le m anuals, - m anuals o f a p p r o p r ia t e te c h n o lo g ie s , - p h o to c o p ie s o f a p p r o p r ia t e
f i s h e r i e s e x te n s io n l i t e r a t u r e , a c u r r e n t aw areness s e r v ic e o f r e g io n a l f i s h e r i e s .
0 How much w i l l th e s e s e r v ic e s c o s t?
A n o m in a l fe e o f US $ 0 .1 5 p e r page w i l l be charged f o r p h o to c o p y in g , h a n d lin g , and s u r fa c e m a il. A i r m a i l
c o s ts w i l l be e x t r a . The p u b l i c a t i o n c o s t p e r manual w i l l v a r y a c c o rd in g t o th e book.
SAFIS i s g r a t e f u l f o r f i n a n c i a l s u p p o rt r e c e iv e d fro m th e
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Developm ent
Research C e n tre (IDRC) o f Canada.
and fish farmers in the region. For additional informa
tion, contact the Project Leader of SAFIS SEAFDEC Liaison Office
956 Rama IV Road
Olympia Building, 4th floor Bangkok 10500, Thailand
