sarabande
Well-Known Member
world\'s longest bowsprit ?
what's going on here, then ? [image]
[/image]
what's going on here, then ? [image]
world's longest bowsprit ?
- Thread starter sarabande
- Start date
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
Re: world\'s longest bowsprit ?
They are hunting swordfish. The man at the top of the mast is a spotter (who can also steer the boat). The one on the end of the 'bowsprit' is the harpooneer. The arrangement allows the boat to creep up silently to the fish that is resting near the surface. They used to be quite common around Messina, Sicily.
They are hunting swordfish. The man at the top of the mast is a spotter (who can also steer the boat). The one on the end of the 'bowsprit' is the harpooneer. The arrangement allows the boat to creep up silently to the fish that is resting near the surface. They used to be quite common around Messina, Sicily.
srp
Well-Known Member
Re: world\'s longest bowsprit ?
Probably missed the point here, but is it a whaling boat of some sort? Spotter up the mast directing the helm, bloke at the front with a harpoon?
Edit
doh, too late, missed the boat as usual.
Probably missed the point here, but is it a whaling boat of some sort? Spotter up the mast directing the helm, bloke at the front with a harpoon?
Edit
doh, too late, missed the boat as usual.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
Re: world\'s longest bowsprit ?
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
on the ball, Puff !
Not sure if it would qualify as "sport" though.
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
on the ball, Puff !
Not sure if it would qualify as "sport" though.
PuffTheMagicDragon
Well-Known Member
Re: world\'s longest bowsprit ?
[ QUOTE ]
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Not sure if it would qualify as "sport" though.
[/ QUOTE ]
As much as any way of eking out a living can be called a sport. Like many other old professions, the fishermen have had to move with the times, e.g. spotter planes for tuna fishing. Alternatively, they make their old skills 'available' to the paying, up-market, tourist who is after what he sees as 'adventure' but what is really little more than basking in reflected glory.
[ QUOTE ]
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Not sure if it would qualify as "sport" though.
[/ QUOTE ]
As much as any way of eking out a living can be called a sport. Like many other old professions, the fishermen have had to move with the times, e.g. spotter planes for tuna fishing. Alternatively, they make their old skills 'available' to the paying, up-market, tourist who is after what he sees as 'adventure' but what is really little more than basking in reflected glory.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
Re: world\'s longest bowsprit ?
sorry, I did not intend to imply that this was a sport. I got the words wrong.
My concern (knowing very little about the economics of fishing in the area) was that it seemed to be a bit too much in favour of the fisherman, at the expense of the viability of the swordfish.
Given the availability (and price !) of swordfish in local (Devon) supermarkets, I can see that someone must still be making a living from catching them.
I don't know if the swordfish is under threat (as in CITES).
EDIT. yes, the Marine Conservation Society has concerns
http://www.fishonline.org/advice/avoid/?item=29
sorry, I did not intend to imply that this was a sport. I got the words wrong.
My concern (knowing very little about the economics of fishing in the area) was that it seemed to be a bit too much in favour of the fisherman, at the expense of the viability of the swordfish.
Given the availability (and price !) of swordfish in local (Devon) supermarkets, I can see that someone must still be making a living from catching them.
I don't know if the swordfish is under threat (as in CITES).
EDIT. yes, the Marine Conservation Society has concerns
http://www.fishonline.org/advice/avoid/?item=29
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
Re: world\'s longest bowsprit ?
The longliners here used to get top whack from the USA market for swordfish, sending the fish out by air freight, but that market seems to have died now - I guess because they are becoming endangered?
Or maybe they have been banned completely now - I heard somewhere that the American long line fishing boats are not allowed to land swordfish any more at American ports - can anyone confirm this?
The longliners here used to get top whack from the USA market for swordfish, sending the fish out by air freight, but that market seems to have died now - I guess because they are becoming endangered?
Or maybe they have been banned completely now - I heard somewhere that the American long line fishing boats are not allowed to land swordfish any more at American ports - can anyone confirm this?
Relax
Well-Known Member
Re: world\'s longest bowsprit ?
I used to do a lot of game fishing in various places when I was living in east Africa.
As far as I am aware a lot of the US states have placed a status of 'game fish' on most billfish (broadbill swordfish, marlin and sailfish) prohibiting its commercial sale. I think this is as a result of increasing scarcity in american waters and worldwide. Swordfish used to be common in the US - now they are apparently nearly extinct.
Maybe someone that side of the pond could comment?
I think the type of harpooning shown used to be considered one of the 'most dangerous jobs in the world' (sic) - I do know that when you put a gaff (and therefore I presume also a harpoon) in a billfish you need to keep all body parts well clear.
I used to do a lot of game fishing in various places when I was living in east Africa.
As far as I am aware a lot of the US states have placed a status of 'game fish' on most billfish (broadbill swordfish, marlin and sailfish) prohibiting its commercial sale. I think this is as a result of increasing scarcity in american waters and worldwide. Swordfish used to be common in the US - now they are apparently nearly extinct.
Maybe someone that side of the pond could comment?
I think the type of harpooning shown used to be considered one of the 'most dangerous jobs in the world' (sic) - I do know that when you put a gaff (and therefore I presume also a harpoon) in a billfish you need to keep all body parts well clear.
charles_reed
Well-Known Member
Re: world\'s longest bowsprit ?
No. Espada boat off Sicily.
No. Espada boat off Sicily.
Clyde_Wanderer
Well-Known Member
Re: world\'s longest bowsprit ?
[ QUOTE ]
They are hunting swordfish. The man at the top of the mast is a spotter (who can also steer the boat). The one on the end of the 'bowsprit' is the harpooneer. The arrangement allows the boat to creep up silently to the fish that is resting near the surface. They used to be quite common around Messina, Sicily.
[/ QUOTE ]
Live be the sword, die by the sword. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
[ QUOTE ]
They are hunting swordfish. The man at the top of the mast is a spotter (who can also steer the boat). The one on the end of the 'bowsprit' is the harpooneer. The arrangement allows the boat to creep up silently to the fish that is resting near the surface. They used to be quite common around Messina, Sicily.
[/ QUOTE ]
Live be the sword, die by the sword. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
