Fishing Vessel Types | Intro

Fishing vessels are typically designed with a specific purpose. That purpose is to locate, catch, and preserve fish while out at sea. The planned operations of a vessel determine the overall size of the vessel, the arrangement of the deck, carrying capacity, as well as the machinery and types of equipment that will be supported by the vessel. Due to the inherent differences in fishing communities around the world, there is a wide range of types and styles of fishing vessels. Vessel sizes can range from the 2 m (6 ft) dug out canoes used in subsistence and artisanal fisheries, to factory ships that exceed 130 m (427 ft) in length. Commercial fishing vessels can also be characterized by a variety of criteria: types of fish they catch, fishing gear and methods used, capacity and processing capabilities, and the geographical origin of the vessel. In 2002, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated the world fishing fleet had approximately four million vessels, with an average vessel size ranging from 10-15 m (33-49 ft). 

Due to the technological innovations that began in the 1950s, many fishing vessels are now classified as multi-purpose vessels, because of the ability to switch out gear types depending on the targeted species. However, single use vessels still exist in the world fishing fleet today. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has identified eight general vessel classifications by fishing method. Most, if not all, modern commercial vessels are also equipped with advanced technological equipment for navigation and fish finding. (https://www.ratson.com/images/blog/.tmb/thumb_3f6d1-fishing-vessel_adaptiveResize_1100_450.jpeg)

subsistence = the minimum (as of food and shelter) necessary to support life