Purse Seining
The majority of Gig Harbor's fishermen, now and in the past, operate purse seiners. In purse seining, a skiff sets the net in a large circle, surrounding fish swimming in the vicinity of the boat. The bottom of the net is then cinched together creating a purse that holds the fish. The net and the fish it contains are pulled out of the water. Today, a power block attached to the mast hauls in the net. Iin the past, it was the fishermen who had to haul in the heavy net by hand, over the turntable, dumping the fish onto the deck and into the hold.
