Translation Series No.1211

- 18-
are 50 norsels, 60 to 80 cm long, which are laid double from nylon 210/27
or from spun nylon 20/12. The net is adjusted at the leader at 1/3 and
.the leader is adjusted at the floating rope at 5/6 (6 meshes on 5). The
line (formerly hard-laid sisal, 7 mm diameter) consists now of laid mono-
fil propylen of 5 mm diameter. Six conical or cylindrical floats of plastic
(Plarex or foam plastic 13 x 8om) replace the formerly used cork floats.
Driftnets were formerly used only during the spring months from - .
March till May. The winter with strong windstorms was at first considered
to.be entirely unsuitable for net'fishing. The hempen nets that were pre-
• . ponderantly in use until 1960 and the "perlon nets" that were tried out •
hesitantly could hardly be used in winds of over 4 on the'Beaufort . scale,
In a stronger wind the pull on a laid line became so strong that it began
[P. 233].
to untwist and thus rolled Up the entire net. This event was much dreaded
by the fishermen, because the straightening out of the net could take selp-
eral days. They thus incurred not only the loss of catch during the stormY
night, but also on the following days.
Many fisherMen were also afraid to set out hempen nets when it
became necessary to stow them wet on deck on account of unfavourable weather
after they had been used only once or twice. Rotting then proceeded very
P. 234]'
quickly, depending on the temperature. - There remained thUs at first only "H
the possibility to extend the drift fishery into the fall months and to
begin the catch already in August and September, when line fishing does
in general nôt yet give l any results. •
The further development, the carrying out of the net fishing.
during thirwinter months from November until February:, was prevented Eie
long as hempen nets remained in use. However, the nets made of synthetic
fibres found at first no aOceptance. - During the first trials it had'been