Fishing !

The term fishing refers to the act of hunting fish and other aquatic animals such as shellfish, squid, octopus, turtles and frogs. However hunting of whales is not included in this category. The art of fishing can be traced back to about 10,000 years during the Mesolithic period. Though our ancestors used fishing as a main source of food, now it has become not only a sport but also a favorable pass time. The age old techniques are replaced with modern technological advancements. The different modes of fishing are hand, spear and bow, kite and ice fishing, dredging, electro fishing, fishing nets and traps. Trained animals, toxins and explosives are also used for fishing.

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Hand fishing is an ancient method of catching fish using hands, without any gadgets. This practice is illegal in Kansas of the United States. Conventional Spear fishing is limited to shallow waters. Speargun and tridents are used to improve the efficiency. Fishing nets made of artificial polyamides, nylon, wool and silk are used to trap the fishes. In Trawling, fishing net is dragged through the water behind the boat. Once the fish gets hooked in the gillnet, at its gill covers, the mobility of the fish is completely stalled. Hooks and bait are used to trap the fish in Fish lining. The commercial method is used to hang many baits from a single line. Kite fishing originally from China is used to explore and navigate in shallow water bodies and reef rich area which otherwise is impossible. These areas are abundant in fish. Ice fishing, practiced by hunter-gatherers is an interesting technique where in lines and hooks are introduced through a small vent or opening in the frozen water body.

Cormorant fishing is the traditional method of fishing followed in China and Japan. In this mode, a metal ring fixed around the bird’s neck stops the fish being swallowed by it. Sometimes poisonous such as cyanide and toxic substances are employed to suffocate the fish and paralyze them. This is illegal. Dynamite or blast fishing is also an illegal method of fishing which affects the coral reef and destabilizes marine environment. The fish can be collected either from the bottom or scooped from the water surface.

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Recreational fishing that is used for competition or entertainment follows conventional rules, licensing limitations and laws that specify the ways in which fish could be caught. Usually in recreational fishing, baits are attached to rods or lines to catch the fish. On the other hand commercial fishing is aimed at supplying fish across different continents. The species fished include tuna, cod, shrimp, clams, squid, crab and salmon. Laws governing commercial fishing markedly differ from that of recreational or sport fishing.

Fishing should never be carried out in unauthorized waterways. Life jackets should be worn while fishing in a boat. It is advisable to carry safety devices, maps and torch while fishing. Care has to be taken while baiting and detaching the hooks. It should be noted that carbon monoxide is not built up around the houseboat. Speed limits have to be maintained and enjoy fishing without disturbing aquatic fauna and flora.