jobdiv.com Seiners and purse seiners are both fishing techniques that use large nets to catch fish by encircling them. Purse seiners differ by having a drawstring mechanism at the bottom of the net, which tightens like a purse to prevent fish from escaping. This design allows purse seiners to capture schools of fish more efficiently compared to traditional seiners.
Table of Comparison
| Feature | Seiner | Purse Seiner |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A fishing vessel using surrounding nets to encircle fish. | A type of seiner with a purse line to close the net bottom. |
| Net Type | Surrounding net without closing mechanism. | Purse net equipped with a drawstring to close the net. |
| Target Species | Surface and mid-water fish like sardines, mackerel. | Schooling fish such as tuna, sardines, anchovies. |
| Fishing Method | Encircles fish creating a wall of net. | Encircles fish and closes the net bottom to trap them. |
| Efficiency | Moderate, depends on net size and fish behavior. | High efficiency due to closing mechanism, reduces escape. |
| Common Usage | Small to medium-scale coastal fishing. | Large-scale commercial fishing, offshore operations. |
| Environmental Impact | Lower bycatch, selective fishing. | Potential higher bycatch if not managed carefully. |
Introduction to Seiners and Purse Seiners
Seiners are fishing vessels equipped with large nets called seine nets that encircle schools of fish, enabling efficient capture of species such as sardines, mackerel, and tuna. Purse seiners are a specialized type of seiner that use a purse line to draw the bottom of the net closed, forming a purse-like shape to trap fish more securely and reduce bycatch. These vessels are crucial in commercial fishing, offering high-volume harvests with minimal environmental impact compared to other fishing methods.
Key Differences Between Seiner and Purse Seiner Vessels
Seiner vessels use surrounding nets called seines to encircle and capture fish schools near the surface, typically targeting species like sardines and mackerel. Purse seiners are a specialized type of seiner equipped with a purse line that tightens the net's bottom, preventing fish from escaping, which is highly effective for capturing schooling pelagic fish such as tuna. The key difference lies in the purse seiner's design feature that allows sealing the net's bottom, increasing catch efficiency compared to standard seine nets.
Core Responsibilities of Seiner Crews
Seiner crews specialize in operating purse seine nets to efficiently encircle and capture large schools of fish such as tuna and sardines. Their core responsibilities include deploying and managing the purse seine to maximize catch size while ensuring minimal bycatch and net damage. They also perform constant monitoring of fish behavior, net maintenance, and coordination with onboard processing teams to optimize overall fishing operations.
Main Duties on a Purse Seiner
A Purse Seiner specializes in encircling large schools of pelagic fish such as tuna and sardines using a large wall of netting deployed from the vessel. The main duties include spotting the fish via sonar or aerial surveillance, skillfully maneuvering the boat to encircle the target, and then drawing the purse line to close the net bottom, effectively trapping the catch. Crew members are responsible for managing the net during setting and retrieval, sorting the catch, and maintaining equipment to optimize operational efficiency and sustainability.
Gear and Equipment Used in Each Vessel Type
Seiners use a variety of nets, including encircling nets and seine nets, supported by purse boats equipped with skiffs or small auxiliary vessels for deploying and retrieving gear. Purse seiners specifically employ a purse seine net characterized by its weighted bottom edge and float line on top, designed to encircle fish schools and then be drawn tight like a drawstring, using a purse line system to close the net's bottom. Both vessel types rely on hydraulic winches, power blocks, and sonar technology to optimize net deployment and fish detection, but purse seiners feature more specialized equipment for efficient net closure and fish containment.
Target Species and Fishing Areas
Seiners, including purse seiners, primarily target schooling pelagic species such as sardines, mackerels, and tuna found in coastal and offshore waters. Purse seiners specialize in capturing large schools of midwater species by encircling them with a large wall of net, often used in tropical and subtropical oceans for tuna fisheries. Seining techniques vary by species behavior and habitat, with purse seiners excelling in open and deep waters where large aggregations of target species occur.
Workflow and Daily Operations
Seiners and purse seiners both utilize large nets to encircle schools of fish, but purse seiners feature a specialized purse line that allows the net to be cinched closed at the bottom, enhancing fish containment during haul-in. Daily operations of purse seiners involve deploying the net rapidly around a target area, then pulling the purse line to prevent escape, improving efficiency compared to traditional seiner methods. Workflow for seiners focuses on precise net positioning and gradual retrieval, whereas purse seiners emphasize faster closure and secure capture to optimize catch volume and reduce bycatch.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Operating a seiner demands proficiency in navigation, teamwork, and understanding fish behavior to effectively locate and encircle schools. Purse seine operators require advanced technical skills in handling mechanized winches and purse systems to swiftly close nets and secure catches, along with knowledge of environmental regulations. Both roles necessitate physical endurance, quick decision-making, and certification in marine safety protocols to ensure efficient and compliant fishing operations.
Safety Standards and Best Practices
Seiners and purse seiners both employ large nets to encircle schools of fish, but purse seiners incorporate a specialized drawstring mechanism that enhances net retrieval efficiency while minimizing risks. Safety standards for purse seiners emphasize proper handling of the purse line to prevent entanglement and ensure crew visibility, whereas traditional seiners focus on secure net deployment and retrieval procedures to avoid slips or falls on deck. Best practices include regular equipment maintenance, comprehensive crew training on emergency protocols, and adherence to maritime safety regulations tailored to the distinct operational demands of each vessel type.
Career Opportunities and Advancement Paths
Seiner and purse seiner roles offer distinct career opportunities in commercial fishing, with purse seiners providing specialized experience in operating large-scale fishing gear used for capturing schooling fish like tuna and sardines. Advancement paths in purse seining often lead to positions such as deckhand, skipper, or fishing vessel manager, leveraging expertise in gear handling and navigation technologies. Seiners without purse gear specialization may progress into broader fishing fleets or fishery management roles, benefiting from versatile vessel operation skills.
Seiner vs Purse Seiner Infographic
