The Fisherman’s Boat

A fisherman’s boat is a boat used to catch fish in the sea, lake or river. Fishing itself can be broadly classified as commercial, artisanal and recreational. The fisherman’s boat varies with the kind of fishing he undertakes.

Fishing boats exist in millions as the fishing industry is vast. Commercial vessels may be decked or undocked. The decked boats are mostly mechanized while the undocked boats are traditional and use oars and sails. The decked boats are larger and their catches are also larger. These boats are owned by large commercial fishing companies. The non-decked boats are used by artisans (small scale fisherman) for commercial purposes but in a much more limited sense. Of course, the use of trawlers is phenomenal. Fish are caught for recreational purposes from boats which range from dugout canoes, kayaks, rafts, pontoon boats, and small dinghies to runabouts, cabin cruisers and cruising yachts to large, hi-tech and luxurious big game rigs.

A fisherman’s boat is his livelihood. In the Asian countries including India, a majority of fishing communities use traditional forms of fishing. They are severely hit by large commercial fisheries and their advanced boats. Apart from the industrial wastes and environmental changes that are affecting marine life, the standards of the boat itself contributes to the success in commercial fishing.