Feb
09
2009
In my last post I showed some pictures of a fishing boat fishing off the coast of Norway. The traditional coastal fisheries – commercial or recreational – have always been affected by efficiency improvement and in this post you will see a fast boat for recreational fishing. The following pictures and text are coming from Aksel Knutsen:
This is the newest model of fishing boats with a hull built for speed, a 115 horse powers outboard engine, a wide and good working deck and a wheelhouse and cabin with oil heater, salt water flush toilet and all modern electronic equipment for fish finding and navigation.
Our forefathers would capsize in their graves if they could see this. But the proud owner of this vessel, Harald Nybø, doesn’t understand why he should paddle about at a speed of 8 knots, when he now can fly at 30. By the way: He can do some fishing from his boat, too.
Feb
01
2009
The number of fishermen in Norway is getting lower year by year and the vessels are getting bigger and bigger. In spite of this delvelopment the fleet of smaller coastal vessels is still playing an important role in the Norwegian fisheries. On this post you will see some pictures taken by Aksel Knutsen. At this time of year the sun is still close to the horizon, but some hours of daylight gives the opportunity to take your camera with you when your’re out on the sea.
After hauling the nets the fish must be gutted and cleaned. Seagulls gather to take part in this process. Being a coastal fisherman is not an easy way to make a living, although it might seem romantic on these pictures. Some fishermen are trying out a new type of boats, called “speed-fishingboats”. Fishermen on Iceland have good experience with that kind of vessels.
50 years ago there could be four or five fishermen on such a boat. Nowadays most fishermen work alone on this type of vessel. The vessel does not give enough income to pay for a crew. Some people like the freedom and the responsibility this kind of fishing provides, but the fishermen are getting fewer and fewer.
