Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Fisheries and

for a world without hunger Aquaculture Department

Fishing Gear Types

Drifting longlines

Drifting longlines

Source: FAO-Fish.Tech.Pap.222, p. 49

Characteristics
Overview A drifting longline consists of a mainline kept near the surface or at a certain depth by means of
regularly spaced floats and with relatively long snoods with baited hooks, evenly spaced on the mainline.
Drifting longlines may be of considerable length. Some drifting longlines are set vertically, each line hanging
from a float at the surface.
Handling Equipment A longline for pelagic fishing is traditionally stored in pieces, in a series of baskets which
may take much space on the deck. More modern solutions include storage of the longline on a drum or reels;
spools can be used for keeping buoy lines, long snoods, etc. Thicker, multifilament, longline are stored in large
bin (a coiling machine is normally used for setting the line into the bin). The baiting of hooks may be manual
or by a machine (baiting machine). Shooting machines are often used. Vessels are usually equipped with a
powered linehauler.
Vessel Overview Longliners.

Fish Operation Drifting longlines are usually set from the stern of a vessel. At the end of each unit (basket) a
buoy with a flag or lamp is set for marking purposes. With the help of the buoy line the fishing depth can be
regulated. The hooks are baited and the branch lines are fixed on the main line, in general, during setting.
When the whole line has been set the gear is left drifting for some time.
Target Species Pelagic species as tuna, Swordfish and sharks.

Water Area Overview All over the world.

Gear Environment The method is typical of high seas fisheries but it is also widely used in the national EEZ,
sometimes, when the continental shelf is not large, not so far from the coast.
Impacts

SpeciesBycatch of sharks, sometimes turtles, and catch of seabirds are the main negative impacts (see
IPOA's Seabirds and Sharks).

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department