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Gill Net

Gill Netting

A vertical net wall in which fish become entangled by their gills - simple, effective, but with significant bycatch concerns.

Water: Both Difficulty: Expert

📖 Overview

Gill nets have been used for millennia. A curtain of mesh hangs vertically in the water; fish swim into it and become caught by their gills. Modern gill nets range from artisanal single-panel sets to industrial 100+ km drift nets. Bycatch of dolphins, seabirds, and sea turtles has driven bans in many regions.

📋 Regulations

UN moratorium on high-seas drift nets (1991). Many coastal jurisdictions ban gill nets in specific zones. Mesh-size regulations control target species and reduce juvenile catch.