HistoryEarly vesselsThe earliest fishing vessels were presumably craft such as rafts, dugout canoes, and coracles, and not intended for use any great distance from the shoreline. Traditional boats
Coastal localities around the world often developed their own traditional type of fishing boat adapted to the specific local fishing and sea conditions. Examples of these are the nobbies, which were used along the north west coast of England, and the dorries, which were used along the east coast of North America. SailMotorisationCommercial vesselsThe 200-mile fishing limit has changed fishing patterns and, in recent times, fishing boats are becoming more specialised and standardised. In the United States and Canada more use is made of large factory trawlers, while the huge blue water fleets operated by Japan and the Soviet-bloc countries have contracted. In western Europe, fishing vessel design is focused on compact boats with high catching power. Commercial fishing is a high risk industry, and countries are introducing regulations governing the construction and operation of fishing vessels. The International Maritime Organization, convened in 1959 by the United Nations, is responsible for devising measures aimed at the prevention of accidents, including standards for ship design, construction, equipment, operation and manning. The FAO classifies commercial fishing vessels by the gear they use. TrawlersA trawler is a fishing vessel designed to use trawl nets in order to catch large volumes of fish. SeinersDriftersLonglinersFactory shipsRecreational vessels
Charter boatsThese fishing vessels are often privately operated and host 'fishing trips', their size can range widely depending on the type of trips run and geographical location. Fishing kayaks
The kayak has long been a means of transportation and a means of accessing fishing grounds. Kayak fishing has gained popularity in recent times. Flounder boatsPontoon boatsPopular in recent years, these boats allow one or two fishermen to get into small rivers or lakes that would have difficulty accommodating larger boats. Typically 8-12 ft in length, these inflatable craft can be assembled quickly and easily. Some feature rigid frames derived from the white water rafting industry.
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