FISHERIES RESEARCH BOARD OF CANADA
Atlantic Biological Stetion
Circular G - 5
"LONG-LINING" IMPROVES FISHING EFFICIENCY
Competition Demands Efficiency
During war years the world demand for fish exceeded
by far the supply available and Canadian fishermen enjoyed the
resultant prosperity. Foreign countries are once again producing
fish at pre-war levels and many of them depend on an export trade.
Canada must once again compete in the world fish market.
Groundfish (Cod, Haddock, Flatfishes, etc.) compete
not only with foreign fish but with other Icw-priced proteins;
such as, cheese, eggs, fowl, and some meats. If. Canada is to
compete successfully in a low-price fish market and maintain a
reasonable standard of living among it's fishermen, the most
efficient methods of catching and handling fish must be used.
Offshore and inshore fishing each produce about
one-half the Canadian groundfish catch. The efficiency of offshore
fishing is advancing through replacement of offshore line vessels
sith otter trawlers. To compete, the inshore man must strive
continuously for better efficiency. One method of improving this
efficiency is through conversion to "long-lining".
-
"Lon—lining" is a form of line-trawl fishing in which
or "gurdy" is used to take back the gear.
a
powered hauler.
The "gurdy" consists of a vertical shaft with a
horizontal head mounted some thirty inches above the deck. The
"gurdy" head consists of two horizontal metal discs so turned
at the outer edges that a groove is formed for gripping the line.
The groove may be rubber lined for better line purchase. The
hauler may be operated directly from the main engine, or preferably
by an auxiliary engine which can turn the head at 40 to 50
revolutions per minute and thus run independently of boat speed.
The gurdy is stoped and started by means of a clutch.
The p:urdy should be used together with rail rollers
and a dummy pulley mounted on an arm attached to the gurdy head.
The dummy pulley enables the "gurdy" to grip the line and leave
the gangeings cleer. It's position is on the same plane as, and
close to, the "gurdy" head and so arranged that the line makes
an S-turn part way round the curdy heed and back round the dummy
pulley. The position of the arm supporting the dummy pulley can
be adjusted for better purchase.
Fishing Method
The engine, running at slow speed, is used to keep
the boot up to the gerr and thus reduce g,ar strain. The gear
is taken in over rail rollers amidships wh,re a man is stationed
to remove fish and operate the gurdy clutch. The line makes a
part turn round the urdy and dummy pull-y and is coiled on the
oumosite side of the boat by a second man. The method is best
adapted to boats of 30 ft. to 50 ft. overall length.
Advantages
1. The tiring job of hauling by hand is lessened.
2. Geer hauling in rough weather and strong tides
is easier.
3. The method proves valuWele in hauling heavy
gear from deep seater (Halibut fishing).
4. Rapid even hauling saves time and reduces gear
parting.
5. _ore gear and hence more fish can be handled
-ith the serve effort
- • -
Widely Tested
The Department of Fisheries, through the Fisheries
Research Board, has contributed toward the introduction of the
"long-lining" method on Canada's east coast by the construction
and operation of the "long-lining" Halibut vessel "J. J. Cowie"
and the distribution of four small gurdiEs to fishermen in four
ports. This has led to increasing interest in the greater
efficiency of power hauling.
The "gurdy" is in general use on the Pacific coast
in the Halibut fishery.
Fishermen using "i:urdies" at Caraquet, Canso,
Liverpool, Lockeport, and Clark's Harbour vouch for their efficiency.
essential.
Similar lobster-pot haulers are now considered
At Caraquet a "gurdy" was installed in.one of eight
similar boats in 1045. The catch improved as shown below.
1 042
1943
1944
1945
Total Boat Catch Lbs.
175,00A
167,000
183,000 243,000
Rating in fleet of eight 7th
5th
7th
21:1
Supply
"Gurdies" and rollers •re available from:
John Swan,
627 Bidwell Street,
Vancouver, B. C.
or
Chappell Brothers,
1779 West Georgia St.,
Vancouver, B. C.
In the event of sufficient demand they can be made
available through east coast machinists; such as, Thompson
Brothers, Liverpool, N. S., or Lunenburg Foundry Co., Lunenburg,
N. S.
Complete gurdy costs ready for installation approximate
125 (gurdy, $85, dummy roller and arm, $15, rail rollers, $25).
The cost can be reduced considerably by fitting an old motor car
differential and axle with a gurdy head.
Chute
"Long-line" gear can be rapidly set after baiting
by means of a "chute" fitted at the extreme stern. The "chute"
is merely a vertical metal-sheeted spout over which the gear is
shot from "skates" or "tubs". the "cnute" is over one foot wide,
over three feet high, and funnels slightly. Long lines of gear
can thus be safely set with the boat running at full speed.
The "chute" is a convenient but not an essential
part of "long-lining" equipment.
W. R. Martin,
Atlantic Biological Station,
St. Andrews, N. B.,
July, 1946
Gurdy Head
about 14" diameter
LONG - LINING
)
N
Roller Bearings
STARBOARD
VIEW
TYPE OF INSTALLATION
Axle
Line trawl
baited
/0\
uifferential---)i /
1
//%`'
\
.
,
•
.
/
\ ,......,,,.. ...,, ..--\\\%
\\
,
CHU
//
_1
Dummy
roller
\
Speed
1 to 5
Steel
Gears
—4--
SECTIOrAL VIEW
Trawl
ti:b
-------
LOOKING
AFT
,
ii
-)----- i - ---a-i-i-p-I
.
Gurdy
amidships
Coupling
chain, sprocket
or V Belt drive
Rail
rollers
Line
trawl
1 ,-
■
-
Roller Bearings
Trawl tub ---rt5=-1
Chute aft
1J r