Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Fisheries and

for a world without hunger Aquaculture Department

Fishing Gear Types

Boat-operated Lift Nets

Boat-operated lift net

Source: Fish Catching Methods of the World, III ed. p.340.

Characteristics
Overview Lift nets consist of a horizontal netting panel or a bag shaped like a parallelepiped, pyramid or cone
with the opening facing upwards. These gears comprise the bag nets ('basnig') and the blanket nets. Often,
depending on target species the catching process is supported by lights (in cases, a series of powerful ones) or
simply some bait.
Handling Equipment Lift nets are hauled out by hand or mechanically. For operating a large lift net and
maintain it open, several long poles off one or the two sides of the boat are, in general, necessary. A number of
pulleys and/or small winches for letting the lift net to dip, then for the hauling of it.
Vessel Overview Lift netters.

Fish Operation After having been left soaking at the required depth, for some time, the net is lifted off the
water, by hand or mechanically, from the shore, from one or more boats. The fish are attracted by lights or
bait.
Target Species Small pelagic species

Water Area Overview All over the world.

Gear Environment Lift nets are operated from the surface in the upper water column, at sea or in inland waters.
Impacts

Species The unexpected bycatch rates is, in general, low. However, when lights are used more species
than expected are often attracted (e.g. cephalopods).

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department