Purse Seining

Purse seining is used to catch fish that feed on the surface, such as tuna, trevally, kahawai or mackerel. The net is not used to catch but rather to surround them.

When a school of fish is located, a small boat (known as a skiff) is dropped with one end of the net. The fishing boat and the skiff then tow each end of the net until it surrounds the fish. Once this process has been completed ropes at the bottom of the net are drawn in, and the fish are completely enclosed.

The net is then drawn in until all the fish are concentrated into a small space alongside the fishing boat. While this is happening the skiff will often sail away from the boat, on the opposite side to the net (but still attached to the boat), to ensure that the the weight does not make the fishing boat tip over. The fish are taken aboard using large scoop nets,or by being pumped in.