HARDY

3380305 сом

v. 12, cop. 2

January 1950

COMMERCIAL FISHERIES REVIEW

3

The main species exploited by the local long-line fishery include: Yellowfin tuna (Neothunnus macropterus), big-eyed tuna (Parathunnus sibi), black marlin (Makaira mazara), and striped marlin (Makaira mitsukurii). Albacore (Thunnus germo), white marlin (Makaira marlina), short-nose marlin (Tetrapterus brevirostris), and sailfish (Istiophorus orientalis) are taken with the other species but compose only a small part of the catch. Catches obtained by the long-line fleet constitute a large part of the offshore fishery production of the Territory. Total landings from Hawaiian waters in recent years are shown in Figure 1 and Table 1. For 1947, the Territorial Division of Fish and Game reported a catch of over 2,800,000 pounds of tunas and spearfishes. The 1948 production showed an increase, with total landings reaching nearly 3,400,000 pounds. Catch data already compiled for the early part of 1949 indicates an even greater production for this year.

THE LONG-LINE BOAT

The long-line boat used for taking the large tunas and spearfishes in Hawaiian waters has evolved from the Japanese sampan-type live-bait boat. The design includes such features as a high, narrow, clipper-type bow, angular lines, a modified V-bottom, with moderate freeboard aft. Boats range in size from 40 to 63 feet in over-all length; the most typical is about 60 feet over-all, with 12-foot beam, and 6-foot draft. The following description is, in general, typical of the local fleet; however, it must be borne in mind that considerable variations in detail exist from boat to boat.

General arrangement of the hull follows the lines shown in Figures 2 and 3. On the main deck is the pilot house, located slightly forward of amidships, housing the radio equip

flying bridge is fre

quently installed

above the pilot house
and is fitted with
additional steering
and engine controls.
The flying bridge may
be completely enclosed
or simply protected
by means of a canvas
wind-screen.

FIGURE 2 - TYPICAL LONG-LINE BOAT USED IN THE HAWAIIAN LONG-LINE
FISHERY. PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY A. G. HANSEN, TAKEN DURING
TRIAL RUN.)

Forward of the pilot house is the raised trunk cabin, which generally provides storage space for fishing gear. The skiff, as a matter of convenience, is lashed along the starboard side of the raised trunk. The engine room is located directly below the trunk and houses the main engine, auxiliary generator, work bench, fuel tanks, and the outboard motor used to propel the skiff during baiting operations. The main engines of the long-line boats are diesel, varying from 115 to 165 horsepower, and are usually of the high-speed type, driving a single screw through a reduction gear. Engines with a reverse gear are preferred over the direct-reversible type because of the maneuvering necessary in handling the fishing gear.

On the starboard side of the main deck is a compartment, 3 by 2 feet and 2-1/2 feet high, that houses a gasoline stove used for cooking. A considerable amount of free deck space is provided aft of the pilot house to permit the

JUL 16 1951

operation of gear. A rack, located on the starboard aft bulwark and consisting simply of two Y-shaped limbs, provides storage space for the flag poles. The rudder post projects from the aft deck, with a socket provided for insertion of the tiller. A plank rail extends completely around the main deck and functions as a bulwark. A bin rail, 8 inches high, extends along either side of the main deck, 18 inches inside the bulwark. The intervening space ordinarily provides storage for the floats. It also serves to retain the fish on deck during fishing operations, until they can be stowed below.

Forward of the engine room, but separated from it by a bulkhead, are sleeping accommodations for the crew, consisting simply of a tier of bunks. Abaft the engine room and similarly separated by a bulkhead, is the fish hold, which continues aft to the water tank and lazaret. The hold consists of three compartments, insulated along the sides and bottom with 2-inch cork laid between the beams and covered with galvanized sheet metal, and with a total fish capacity of from 15,000 to 20,000 pounds. Since none of the boats are equipped with any sort of mechanical refrigeration, ice is required in large quantities and is taken aboard in the form of cakes, weighing about 300 pounds; any resulting space

The crews that man the long-line boats are predominantly of Japanese extraction, though Filipinos and Hawaiians are represented in fair numbers. Most of the

larger boats maintain a crew of five, while the smaller boats employ a crew of only two or three men. For various reasons, however, boats frequently put to sea with less than a normal complement.

A five-man crew comprises a captain and four fishermen. The captain, who is frequently a partner in the ownership of the boat, makes all decisions relating to the fishing operations, and in addition, ordinarily performs the navigation as well as the maintenance and repair work on all machinery. The fishermen operate the gear and share the duties of preparing the food; also stand a regular turn at the wheel and assist in the repair of gear and the performance of other maintenance work on deck.

Fishing is done on a share basis. Generally, the fish are sold at auction by the operators of the wholesale fish market, who render the additional service

of preparing a final settlement for the crew. Deductions for fuel, cartage, ice, market commission, and bait, if purchased, are made from the gross price received for the fish. After the deduction of these expenses, the net is then divided among the members of the crew and the boat owner as follows: the boat owner receives 30 percent and the captain receives 5 percent as a bonus; the remaining 65 percent is divided equally among the crew members and the captain. Expenses for food and provisions for the trip are paid out of the latter share.

DESCRIPTION OF GEAR

The tuna long line is designed for the purpose of catching tunas, spearfishes, and other species, by means of a series of baited hooks, placed below the surface of the water. It consists of a main line, which is supported at intervals by lines with attached surface floats or buoys, and which, in turn, supports a series of vertical branch or hook lines.

While certain variations

The description of the long line which follows is typical of the gear employed throughout the waters of the Hawaiian Islands. in detail from boat to boat exist, the differences are a matter of preference with the individual fisherman. The long line (Figure 4, see page 6) is assembled by either splicing or tying together 13 to 15 lengths of main line, each varying from 1-1/3 to 25 fathoms. These, with attached float lines and branch lines, are designed to complete a basic unit 140 to 203 fathoms in length called a "basket."2/ Twenty to 34 baskets

are tied in a string,

THE COILED SECTIONS OF ONE COMPLETE BASKET OF LONG-LINE GEAR.

with two additional hook lines (end branch lines) attached at the ends, completing the set. The various assembled sections of one complete basket are coiled and are placed in a wooden box or a bamboo basket for stowage (Figure 5).

The "basket" is made up of the following parts:

(1) Main Line: The main line supports the pendant vertical branch lines, and is, in turn, supported by lines attached to floats. Medium-hard laid cotton twine, varying between 240 and 260 thread, is used almost exclusively for the main line.

(2) Branch or Hook Line: The branch line consists of four pieces: a length of cotton line, the "shanawa," the leader, and the hook. The upper end of this 2/ The term "basket" is derived from the special type container, woven of bamboo, in which the gear is stowed.

COTTON LINE

DIAMETER 1/4

D

WIRE LEADER

HOOK

'SHANAWA

E

'SHANAWA

f22

22

END OF BASKET (TAIL)

line may be tied directly to the main line, or it may be fastened to a loop, 6 to 8 inches in length and of 1/4-inch cotton or 1/2-inch manila hemp, which is attached to the main line. The branch line may vary from 65 to 90 feet in length, and is usually of the same material as the main line. Many fishermen, however, prefer hard rather than medium-hard laid twine for the branch line.

"Shanawa" or "Seki

yama: "

The "shanawa" is fabricated by hand from 15 strands of No. 8 Irish linen, twisted together, and tightly wrapped with No. 6 cotton thread which provides a fairly rigid length of line. The outer surface is coated with tar which acts as a preservative and further adds rigidity to this section. The "shanawa" thus prevents the lower section of the branch line from twisting and becoming fouled when the branch line carries a hooked fish. It has a finished diameter of 3/16 inch and may vary from 18 to 22 feet in length, depending on preference.

THE

FIGURE 6 - FLOATS USED IN THE HAWAIIAN LONG-LINE FISHERY.
ALUMINUM OXYGEN TANKS AND THE GALVANIZED METAL FLOATS ARE
USED TO SUPPORT THE MAIN LINE AT THE CENTER OF A BASKET.
WOODEN FLOAT IS FASTENED TO THE FLAGPOLE AND IS ATTACHED AT
THE HEAD OF THE BASKET.

At each end of the "shanawa" a served loop, about 6 inches in length, provides for the attachment of the lower end of the branch line and the upper end of the wire leader.

THE

Leader: The leader is made of 3/32 inch diameter 1 x 7 galvanized steel wire. The end engaging the "shanawa" is fitted with a 6-inch served loop which prevents undue fraying of the "shanawa" and facilitates disassembling. The leader may vary from 8 to 10 feet in length and terminates in a 2 1/2-inch loop which passes through the eye of the hook.

Hooks: The hooks are made of approximately 1/4-inch diameter tempered steel. The two most common sizes are 9/0 and 8/0, having wire lengths (over-all length) of 5-5/8 and 4-5/16 inches, respectively. The latter is comparable to the Japanese 4-sun hook.

(3) Float or Buoy Line: The lower end of the float line is tied directly to the main line, or it may be attached to a 6-inch loop fastened to the main line. The twine used for the float lines is the same diameter as is used for the main and branch lines. Many fishermen use frayed or worn line from these sections, since it is not necessary that heavy twine be used for attachment of the floats.

Floats: Floats may be either Army surplus aluminum oxygen tanks of 1,000 to 2,100 cubic inches capacity or galvanized iron floats which are commonly used in the north Pacific otter trawl fishery (Figure 6). These metal floats are painted a bright color to increase visibility. Wooden floats, of California redwood,