Otter
The otter is a fishing device constructed with two parts. An otter board and a fishing line. It is steered by pulling on the line then letting stack so the slide mechanism on the board operates to switch direction. It may be used from a boat or pulled from the shore. It is very difficult to retrieve from a boat once fish are on. The board steers away from shore when the line is pulled and positioned by giving more or less line out. The board will travel parallel to the line of travel of the fisherman.
Wikipedia contributors. "Otter (fishing device)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 24 Feb. 2023. Web. 21 Nov. 2023
Photo: Seafish public media library
Pulse
Electric pulse fishing is a fishing technique sometimes used in trawl fisheries which produces a limited electric field above the seabed to catch fish. The pulse trawl gear consists of a number of electrodes, attached to the gear in the tow direction, that emit short electric pulses. The electrodes replace the tickler chains that are used in traditional beam trawl fishery. The pulse trawl fishery is mainly aimed at flatfish like sole, with by-catch plaice. In addition, the pulse trawl gear is applied in shrimp fisheries on a limited scale. Technically, the use of electricity to catch fish is prohibited in European waters.
Wikipedia contributors. "Electric pulse fishing." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 Oct. 2023. Web. 21 Nov. 2023
Photo: Natalie Steins
Beam
Beam trawls are heavy duty nets attached to a steel beam that holds the nets open. The belly of the net is made of chains which are dragged along the seabed disturbing the sand and sediment in order to scoop up the target species. In the southwest beam trawling results in a mixed capture, as it is difficult to accurately target one species without others being caught.
Text: https://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/fishing-methods/beam-trawling.php
Photo: Seafish public media library
Dredge
A fishing dredge, also known as a scallop dredge or oyster dredge, is a kind of dredge which is towed along the bottom of the sea by a fishing boat in order to collect a targeted edible bottom-dwelling species. The gear is used to fish for scallops, oysters and other species of clams, crabs, and sea cucumber. The dredge is then winched up into the boat and emptied.
Wikipedia contributors. "Fishing dredge." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 11 Sep. 2022. Web. 21 Nov. 2023.
Photo: Seafish public media library