Drifter fishing is catching fish using a fishing vessel called a drifter. Since some fish species (in particular, herring, mackerel and salmon) live mainly in the sea (the so-called pelagial), they try to stay separate from each other. For this reason, it is possible to catch them exclusively with the help of special smooth networks, which are called drift (or drifting) networks, since only they are able to delay the movement of the above rocks.
How does it work?
When trying to pass through such a network, fish are not able to feel the barrier, which is the mesh web, as a result of which they pull the cells on themselves up to the fins. And this, in turn, leads to the fact that the fish is not able to continue further movement. When she begins to try to take off the network cells, she, of course, does not succeed, because they do not give the gills.
What is a drifting (drifting) network?
Drifting (drifting) network is a weave of aluminum wire of a rectangular shape. Its length can reach thirty-nine and a half meters, and a height of nineteen and a half meters. Several drifting networks, interconnected, form the so-called drift order. To maintain it, special buoys and floats are provided, which are attached to the upper selection of the network and with the help of sinkers are lowered to a certain depth. They are set to the bottom selection of the network.
The length of one drifter order can be more than fifty nautical miles. It depends on where the fishing takes place and what kind of catch I would like to get.
Drifter History
Mankind has known for a long time what drifter fishing is. A special peak of this method of fishing, which, incidentally, is illegal in some countries, occurred at the end of the nineteenth century. Moreover, mainly herring was caught. Although there are cases when, using a method such as drift fishing, even squid was caught. But they are very rare, almost single. Often it is used to catch certain fish species.
The following fact is very curious: at the end of the nineteenth century the authorities of one of the United States of America drifted fishing for the first time was outlawed, it was indicated to leave only standard fishing nets. But in connection with the transformation of the state into just one of the territories, this was not possible. This state of affairs could not but rejoice lovers of such fishing.
What is the situation with drift fishing in different countries?
In the vast majority of European countries, salmon spawn. But in Canada, drift fishing is much better developed, since this breed of fish in the country reproduces in almost all rivers. And there are at least five hundred of them.
On the territory of the North Atlantic, such places are the entire western and southern coast of Greenland.
Regarding the Japanese drift craft, we can say that it has almost come to naught, because there is practically nothing to catch there in this way. If salmon spawns in the waters of this country, then in very small quantities.
But the greatest damage to drift fishing was done by Atlantic salmon populations. So, for example, in the Czech Republic this type of fish now lives in only two rivers. This is Wisla and Oder. And in Norway it’s completely in one. This proves once again that drift fishing is a great danger to the environment.
Is there a way out of the situation?
Many people thought about this issue. What is drifter fishing - have long been understood in the North Atlantic Salmon Fund. It was created by the famous public figure Orry Wigfusson. In his opinion, drifter fishing cannot lead to anything good. Therefore, he came up with his own scheme. He decided to start redeeming national salmon fishing quotas from countries where drift fishing is permitted by law. And this scheme turned out to be quite effective: during spawning, salmon are not caught, and therefore, can safely reach the right place and give offspring there.
But such an activity is quite costly: fishermen have to pay a tidy sum, which is taken from donations from those legal entities and individuals whose interests are upheld by this organization.
Convention
However, the aforementioned North Atlantic Salmon Fund is by no means the first organization to understand what drift fishing is and what environmental hazard it poses. The problem was identified long before the founding of this organization and is associated with the adoption of the so-called Tarav Declaration by the heads of government of those countries that are members of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Fishing Activities with Drifter Nets, as well as the Pacific Forum.
According to this document, the implementation of fishing activities using drift nets is considered as "incompatible with the requirements of international law." This directly relates to the obligations provided for the preservation of natural and, in particular, fish resources on the high seas, as well as the possibility of managing them.
What kind of harm is caused by drift nets to the environment?
For the entire world ecological community, the danger of fishing activities using drifting nets today represents one of the main problems. Moreover, it is even produced for research purposes. The trouble is that even with small volumes of fish caught in this way, environmental damage is simply enormous.
Currently, it is planned to introduce the following restrictions on the practice of fishing using drift nets (naturally, only in those countries where this method has not yet been completely prohibited by law):
- reduce the number of drift orders;
- reduce the number of drifters who can fish simultaneously.
In this regard, it is planned to adopt a special United Nations resolution , as well as tough measures to limit the number of drifting orders in the South Pacific. Experts are confident that such a measure will help minimize the damage to the environment caused by this method of fishing.
All fishing lovers need to know what drifter fishing is and what is its peculiarity. This will help to avoid many unpleasant situations and save yourself from unnecessary problems.