ENGINEERING INSIGHTS INTO MARINE DRIFT GILL NETS OPERATED ALONG THE COAST OF RATNAGIRI, M.S., INDIA

Abstract

The study provided a comprehensive study of the fishing gear locally known as “Vahilyachi jal” offering insights into its design, construction and application for targeting mackerel, pomfret, seer fish, and tuna. The gear’s specifications cover a range of features, including main webbing mesh sizes ranging from 52 to 150 mm to target different group of species, twine types comprising PA monofilament and multifilament. Dimensions such as hung length (47.25 to 108.57 m) and hung depth (4.25 to 11.74 m) are detailed, along with webbing color variations. The gear incorporates selvedge twine types (PE multi, PA multi, PA mono), head rope materials (PP), and float specifications, including circular and disc-shaped dimensions. Additionally, the study examines foot rope details, sinker types, and associated weights. The total fleet length ranged from 182 to 2560 m, with an operational depth of 10 to 73 m. The fishing craft used include non-mechanized boats, motorized FRP and wooden boats, and FRP mechanized boats, featuring engine horsepower from 9 to 50 HP. This detailed abstract provides a comprehensive summary of the “Vahilyachi jal” fishing gear, emphasizing its adaptability and functionality in diverse fishing scenarios.