Town of Clark's Harbour :  Fishing

There are many types of fishing that occurs during the year.  Some types are smaller in size but are equally important.


Longlining

Longlining is a selective type of fishing which lands a large quantity of fish.  It uses long lines with hooks that are coiled into trawl tubs, set overboard, and then hauled back by a hoist.

Handlining

Handlining is mostly used to catch groundfish, such as cod, haddock, and halibut.  A long line is used on which a weight and baited hooks are attached.

Purse Seining

A seine is a wall of netting used to encircle a school of fish close to the ocean floor.  When a school of fish is detected, a boat takes one end of the net around the school.  The circular net has floats on the top and weights on the bottom with a wire passing through rings on the bottom of the net which enables the net to be drawn together to trap the fish.  the bag-like net is then hauled onto the seiner.

Gill Netting

Gill Netting is a smaller scale fishery in our area but one that is still prosperous.  Gill nets are used to catch many species of fish, especially herring, cod, and pollock.  The nets are either secured to the seabed by weights or left to drift.  The fish are caught as they swim through the net and the net gets entangled in their gills.  This is an effective way of fishing but, unfortunately, species that are not intended to be caught can also get entangled in the net.

Dragging

Dragging is not used as much as in the past because of much controversy.  Many people believe that it has contributed to a large degree in the decline of our fish stocks.  Dragging uses a large net held down by heavy "doors" on each side that is lowered into the water and then towed along close to the bottom of the ocean.  This net scoops up all the fish in its path, including whales, sharks, and other animals that might be in the way.

Rock Weed and Irish Mossing

Rock Weeding and Irish Mossing take place in early summer to late fall.  This is only done on a small scale, but it takes a considerable amount of time and energy.  Irish moss is harvested from small boats by hand-raking.  The rakes look similar to regular garden rakes but have a handle that is five meters long.  Irish moss must be harvested on low tide due to it growing on the rocks and ledges.  Rock wee is harvested in a similar way but is harvested on high tides.  Both of these are used in products like ice cream, chocolate milk, and salad dressing.