Gillnet
A fishing net whose mesh entangles fish as they swim into it, commonly catching them behind the gill covers or around the body.
Mesh size: The size of an opening in a net, usually measured between opposite knots when stretched. Gillnet mesh selects for fish whose bodies cannot pass through its openings.
Drift net: A gillnet that drifts with currents or wind, usually near the surface. Drift nets are a mobile form of gillnet used to intercept swimming fish.
Marine mammal bycatch: The unintended capture or injury of whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals in fishing gear. Marine mammals can become entangled in gillnets while traveling or feeding.
Purse seine: A fishing net that surrounds a school of fish and closes underneath like a drawstring bag. Unlike gillnets, purse seines encircle schools rather than entangling individuals in mesh.
Fishing net construction: The arrangement of netting, ropes, floats, and weights used to make fishing nets functional. These components keep a gillnet open and positioned in the water.
Gillnet selectivity: The tendency of fishing gear to catch some species or sizes more readily than others. Mesh dimensions and fish shape determine which animals a gillnet retains.
Set net: A stationary fishing net fixed in place with anchors, stakes, or other supports. Set gillnets remain positioned across routes used by target fish.
Sea turtle bycatch: The unintended capture of sea turtles in fishing gear during fishing operations. Turtles may become trapped in gillnet mesh and drown before retrieval.
Trawl net: A cone-shaped fishing net towed through water or along the seabed. Trawls capture fish by herding them into a moving net rather than setting entangling mesh.
Gill cover: A bony or cartilaginous flap that covers and protects a fish's gills. Gillnets can lodge behind the gill cover, one source of their name.