Everything You Need to Know About Fishing Vessels 

We all know that trawlers are boats used to catch fish, whether in the sea, lakes, or rivers. Fishing vessels come in all sizes and levels of complexity, but what you may not know is that they can be divided into several main categories and subcategories.

Commercial fishing vessels are also classified as part of the commercial fleet, just like cargo ships, container ships, car carriers, bulk carriers, oil tankers, passenger ships, and gas carriers, and they work to earn a living.

But now, if you want to know more about fishing vessels, this is your chance!

What are the different types of fishing vessels?

Firstly, fishing vessels can be divided into three main types based on their purpose. These are:

• Commercial fishing vessels
• Artisanal fishing vessels
• Recreational fishing vessels

They can also be classified based on size or length:

• Small: Small fishing vessels operating in freshwater
• Medium: Medium-sized fishing vessels operating in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
• Large: Large fishing vessels operating in the ocean

They can also be divided into subcategories based on the type of equipment on board that is used to catch fish and seafood. These are:

• Trawlers
• Dredgers
• Seiners
• Trap Setters
• Gillnetters
• Lift Netters
• Liners
• Vessels that Use Pumps

We will take a closer look at all of these different types of fishing vessels later on.

History of fishing vessels

Fishing as a source of food is almost as old as humanity itself, and it goes without saying that once vessels began to be used for fishing, designs changed radically over the years.

The earliest known vessels were, of course, very simple and were used for a wide range of purposes, from transport to exploration to warfare. The biggest advance in the emerging fishing industry was the Dutch invention of the herring fishing vessel in the 15th century.

This became the basis for later European fishing vessel construction for some time, with the British developing the trawler – the predecessor to the trawler – in the 17th century.

The trawler as we know it today was also almost a British invention, introduced in the 19th century.

Soon after, steam was introduced as a method of propulsion for trawlers, rapidly changing the face of fishing around the world.

Steam trawlers were more than just human powered, they could be built to larger specifications and therefore could carry more nets, larger catches, travel greater distances and at greater speeds.

Turbines and diesel engines were not far behind, taking fishing to new heights.

Now let’s take a closer look at the subcategories of fishing vessels, starting with those by purpose.

Fishing vessels by purpose

Commercial fishing vessels

Commercial fishing vessels are medium to large vessels used for catching fish and other seafood on a large scale and for wholesale.

These types of vessels are capable of operating in deep offshore waters, even in rough seas and stormy weather. Commercial fishing vessels are subject to IMO regulations regarding vessel design, dimensions and the equipment used.

Artisanal fishing vessels

Also known as subsistence fishing, is a term for boats used to catch fish and sell them wholesale at local markets and restaurants. Boats are small to medium-sized and may or may not have engines.

Recreational fishing vessels

As the name implies, recreational fishing vessels are boats used by individuals or small groups to fish as a sport or hobby.

The fish are usually put back into the water or taken home to eat, but not sold for commercial purposes. These boats are small to medium sized.

Now that we have the three different categories of fishing vessels, let’s break them down into their actual types. We will focus on commercial fishing vessels because they come in different shapes and sizes, and artisanal and recreational fishing vessels are not part of the commercial fleet.

Different Types of fishing vessels and Their Characteristics

Trawlers

Trawlers are the most common type of commercial fishing vessel, used around the world, using a conical or funnel-shaped net to catch fish. They are equipped with a mechanical device called a tow winch, which is used to pull the net over the side or stern of the boat and onto the ship. Trawlers need powerful engines to pull the net over long distances filled with the catch.

There are also different types of trawlers:

Stern trawler: A large, powerful vessel that uses a trawl winch and seine drum to pull the trawl net over the stern of the vessel. Fishing and processing usually takes place on board.

Side trawler: As the name suggests, the trawl net is usually towed over the side of the ship using a trawl winch. Side trawlers are now less popular than stern trawlers.

Trawlers: These large vessels have processing facilities on board to process the fish into fillets or mince on board.

Freezer trawlers: These vessels have cold storage facilities to store the fish until the ship reaches land.

Wet-Shock Trawler: These vessels operate close to shore as they have no refrigeration facilities and instead keep fresh fish on ice or in the insulated holds of the vessel.

Prop Trawler: Also known as keel trawlers, these trawlers consist of two nets pulled by winches extending from either side of the vessel. They are primarily used for catching shrimp.

Lift netters

Trawlers have large trawl nets that are hung from the side of the vessel and raised and lowered using supports. The vessel is equipped with cranes and hoists to raise these supports as well as ropes and winches.

Trap setter

These vessels are used to catch seafood such as lobsters, crabs, and lobsters and are equipped with traps and tackle to catch the fish, which is then stored in the cargo hold. Larger trawlers use cranes or winches to set and pull the pots. You may also have heard of these fishing vessels being referred to as “crab catchers”.

Seiners

Trawlers use a special type of net called a Seine net. These nets are suspended vertically in the water and have long wings and a tow rope.

A flat surface raises the upper edge, and a weight weighs down the lower part. Trawlers catch pelagic fish – fish that swim in the water column, that is, fish that are not close to the shore or the seafloor. Pelagic fish include sardines, herrings, and tuna.

Drifters

As mentioned in the previous fishing boat history, floating herring fishing vessels were invented by the Dutch in the 15th century and are still in use today. Drifting fishing vessels are designed to catch fish, especially herring, by deploying drift nets.

These boats are equipped with long nets called drift nets, which are placed in the water to catch fish swimming in them. The nets drift with the current and are later pulled out by the crew. Drift fishing vessels usually have a strong hull to withstand rough sea conditions and enough deck space to handle wide nets. This fishing method is traditional and can catch large numbers of fish without heavy machinery or deep sea operations.

Dredges

Dredgers are used for several different purposes, including silt transportation, recycling, construction, and in this case, fishing. Dredgers catch mollusks such as oysters, oysters, and sea slugs. The boats are raised and lowered using cranes and winches and dragged along the seabed.

Liners

Hook-line fishing vessels use the traditional hook-and-line method of fishing. You can also use bait, depending on the type of fish you want to catch.

It has a deck area for attaching bait to the line, and containers for storing bait and catch. Hook-line fishing vessels can be divided into several different types:

Long-hook fishing vessels: These boats are usually used to catch tuna, swordfish, and halibut, and they have very long lines and a large number of baited fish hooks. The line can be placed on the seabed or on the surface.

Longline tuna fishing vessels: They are equipped with brine freezers, in which the tuna is kept until it reaches the shore.

Tuna longliners are medium-sized vessels, and conveyor transports both the longline and the buoy.

Line and line fishing vessels: Also known as live bait fishing, line and line fishing vessels are also used to catch tuna. These boats have tanks filled with live bait and a water spray system to attract fish. Fishermen stand on platforms or railings and catch fish by hand using poles with fishing lines and hooks attached.

Gillnets

Gillnets are vertical net panels suspended from a line with regularly spaced buoys. These floats (sometimes called corks) keep the line afloat on the water.

Commercial and artisanal fishing vessels use gillnets. Gillnet purse seine vessels set and retrieve the nets either manually or mechanically, depending on the size of the vessel. There are two types of gillnet fishing vessels:

Fixed gillnet fishing vessels: The nets are not fixed to the vessel while fishing.

Traditional gillnet fishing vessels: In these vessels, the nets remain attached to the vessel while fishing.

Vessels that uses pump

In these fishing vessels, a pump is suspended from a hook on an electric winch and lowered into the water. This pump has a light inside it that attracts small fish.

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These fish are then sucked into the pump and pumped onto the vessel. The seawater is removed, and the fish is stored until reaching the port.

Tuna clipper

The tuna clipper is designed for commercial tuna fishing. These vessels are equipped with large cold storage to preserve the catch and advanced fishing equipment such as purse seines or longlines. The process typically involves using sonar to locate schools of tuna, then deploying nets or ropes to surround and capture the fish.

Once the caught fish is harvested, it is quickly stored in refrigerated cargo holds to preserve freshness until the vessel returns to port. Tuna cutters are designed for speed and endurance, allowing them to travel to remote fishing locations and maximize their harvest.

The commercial fishing industry today

According to recent estimates, approximately 70,000 commercial fishing vessels are operating worldwide, accounting for a large portion of the global seafood catch. This data is tracked and visualized through platforms such as Global Fishing Watch, which uses satellite technology and machine learning to monitor global fishing activity.

China leads the pack among countries producing the most fish for commercial use. China’s large fishing fleet and aquaculture operations contribute significantly to its number one position.

Other leading countries include Indonesia, the United States, Peru, and India. These countries benefit from abundant marine resources and have developed strong fisheries to support domestic and international markets.

Fisheries play a key role in supporting livelihoods and ensuring food security for billions of people worldwide, so effective management and sustainable practices are essential to maintaining fish populations and healthy oceans.

What is the most popular fish?

The most consumed fish in the world is tuna. It is highly appreciated for its versatility and is often used in a variety of dishes such as sushi, salads, and sandwiches. In the United States, shrimp is the preferred seafood choice, but tuna is also an important part of the diet due to its flavor and nutritional value.

Other widely consumed fish include salmon, which is known for its rich flavor and high omega-3 fatty acid content, and Alaska pollock, which is often used in processed fish products such as fish sticks and imitation crab. Cod and haddock are also popular, especially in regions where fish and chips are a traditional dish, such as the United Kingdom.