Fishing Gear

The use of nets, lines, hooks, floats, and sinkers can be traced back about 10,000 years. New gear builds on traditional concepts and techniques.

Sperm whalers prepare an iron harpoon, 1904
During the 19th century, New England whaling crews included men from Cape Verde, the Azores, and the West Indies §.
photo © New Bedford Whaling Museum

Fishermen use a speargun to capture an octopus
Ponape, Micronesia
photo © Philip Rosenberg

Fisherman splicing rope
Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada
photo © Mark J. Rauzon

Ocean Planet Exhibition Floorplan

gene carl feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428

Judith Gradwohl, Smithsonian Institution (Curator/Ocean Planet)