Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Fisheries and

for a world without hunger Aquaculture Department

Fishing Gear Types

Harpoons

Characteristics
Overview These are gears for killing, wounding or grappling fish, whales and marine mammals. In its simplest
forms the harpoons are built from a wood pole having a steel point with one or more fixed or movable barbs at
its forward end. Usually the harpoon is connected with a retrieving line. Modern harpoons are shot by guns.
Harpoons used for whaling can be electrified or equipped with grenades.
Accessory Equipment Harpoons differ from spears in that the point becomes separated from the shaft when it
penetrates the victim and the shaft floats to the surface. The point and the shaft remaining connected by a line.
Whaling harpoons have a retrieving line which runs from the shaft of the harpoon to the operating vessel. The
line, with a total lengths of up to 1 000 m is running through a tension absorber, from there it is led round the
drum of the whale winch then down to the hold of the vessel .
Handling Equipment Modern harpoons can be pushed or thrown by hand as well as they can be shot with
rifles or guns. Harpoons are a very common fishing gear for sport divers. Commercial fishing activities with
harpoons are of minor importance.
Vessel Overview Vessel used for harpoon fishing on swordfish have a remarkably long bowsprit ending with a
small platform where the harpooner is stand on. A tub or crow's nest arrangement is often fitted on the mast for
spotting. The vessel must have a reasonable speed, in the order of 10 knots, and be very maneuverable.
Fish Operation When a prey is sighted, the vessel is steered towards its position, and the striker positions
himself on the stand with the harpoon made ready directing the helmsman so that he can make his strike and
capture the target species.
Target Species Large pelagic species like tuna and Swordfish ; sharks; marine mammals like whales and seals.

Water Area Overview Mediterranean sea; off the coast of California, Peru and Chile; North sea (Norwegian
waters); Japanese waters.
Gear Environment Surface marine waters.
Impacts

SpeciesThe main impact of this type of gears is represented by the captures of endangered species like
sea mammals.

FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department