Interesting Facts about Deep Sea Fishing

The practice of catching fish or fishing is more than 40,000 years old. Any kind of recreational fishing in the sea below 100 feet is considered ‘deep-sea fishing’. Hunting fish in freshwater or saltwater don’t come under the category of ‘deep-sea fishing’. Deep seas are away from the land, and a boat is used for fish-hunting activities in such areas. 

What Is Deep-sea Fishing and Its Types?

The term ‘deep sea fishing’ basically refers to two different types of fishing practices. The first one is ‘sport fishing’ in which people rent a boat, and spend a day preying on big fish, like sailfish or marlin. It is more like a hobby or time-pass. Scientists and researchers are mostly attracted to this practice as it allows them to catch, observe, tag, log and release the prey back into the sea.

On the other hand, the second kind of deep-sea fishing belongs to the commercial fishing industry in which the fishermen search for large fish hauls deep in the ocean. 

Deepsea Fishing Types Sports Fishing Commercial Fishing
Major Difference  Also known as big game fishing, deep-sea sport fishing is an enjoyable experience for people who love water.  The process is used for commercial purposes only.
Type Of Boat Used  Special boats are required for this purpose with necessary fishing gear and important equipment installed in them.  Big ships and boats trawl deep in the ocean for seafood. 
Type Of Equipment Used  Special fishing equipment is utilized for this sport as the regular line, sinker or hook won’t help. Ships and boats are heavily equipped with large nets and trawling tools.
Type Of Technique Used  Multiple techniques are used for sport fishing. Some people prefer to use a net while throwing bait for hunting is also common. Large nets are used to drag fishing gear as deep as 2 kilometres across the ocean floor.
Who Can Do This? Gamers need to have an expert fisherman during the sport because things can get alarming at times.  This activity needs to be done by professionals only.
Purpose  In sport fishing, usually the hunted fish is consumed at the end of the trip or released back into the water after a few clicks.  The prey is used for commercial profit and to provide a large quantity of seafood.

Interesting Facts About Deep-Sea Fishing

The behaviour of bright yellow snapper observed whilst diving off of Key Largo

Deep-sea Fishing attracts many, but a lot of people are scared of it because the activity can get dangerous and lead to serious injuries. Before deciding whether you like it or not, here are a few interesting facts about deep-sea fishing that you should know.

You Will Hunt a Different Fish Type Every Month from The Same Spot

The change in weather has a great impact on the quality of water and its temperature. This is why you will catch a different fish species from the same spot every month. 

For instance, big game fish, such as cobia, can be hunted in summer, while bass and blackfish can be found during fall when the water is colder. If you wish to prey on a specific deep-sea creature, it is important you know when you can expect to find a specific fish.

Unique Deep-sea Creatures Stick to the Depths

It’s not possible to catch all deep-sea fish. A majority of species prefer to stay in colder water because it contains more oxygen than normal, shallow water. This is why unique sea animals mostly live deep in the ocean and don’t come up.

Greenland Shark Is the Largest Deep-sea Fish

Greenland Sharks are often confused with Great White Sharks due to their enormous size with over 1,400 kg (3,100 lbs) weight and up to 7.2 meters (24 feet) length. They have the ability to eat almost anything, but typically the specie consumes lumpfish, eels, flounder, carrion, other small sharks, and the meat of dead animals. 

Greenland Sharks are also known for eating land animals as they have been found with reindeer, polar bear jaw, moose, and horse bones in their stomachs. In 1995, researchers were able to take initial pictures of this beast in its natural habitat. Later in 2003, video footage of a Greenland Shark was captured while swimming. It was the first and the only footage we have had till now.

A Full-moon Deep-sea Fishing is More Exciting 

One of the most interesting facts about deep-sea fishing is that the fish hunting in the light of the full moon is more fruitful than otherwise. This is because the extra brightness of the moon helps the predatory fish to see its prey. So, you are more likely to find them near the surface.

Besides this, the tides during the full moon are more substantial. As a result, baitfish become more active making it harder for the predators to hunt, making it a great time for to catch one.

The Deep-Sea Water Is Deeper than the Mount Everest

Just a handful of professionals were able to descend to the deepest point of the sea. That’s because the distance of the deepest point from the ocean’s surface is around 7 miles (11 kilometers). If Mount Everest was placed into this chasm, then it would be a mile more from breaking the water’s surface. The temperature remains above freezing levels in the deep sea, and the pressure is 1,000 times more than the surface. 

The Deep-sea Is Around 14000 Feet Deep On Average 

It is the same as stacking up the Statue of Liberty 47 times on top of itself. 

Deep-sea Fish With See-through Head

Deep-sea animals are unique and interesting. Barreleyes are one such example. This fish has a see-through head and its eyes are green, cylindrical, and rotating. Moreover, its telescoping eyes contain exceptionally high rod cells while cone cells are absent. In addition to their excellent vision, their head has a refractive index that protects the eyes and collects more light.  Also termed spook fish, the barreleyes are usually present in the waters of the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans. 

Deep-sea Creatures Can Produce Their Own Light

This process of producing light is called bioluminescence and it is quite common in deep-sea creatures. It helps organisms survive in the dark of the ocean. Some fish species use this quality to attract prey, while a few use it to confuse predators. Tiny crustaceans and worms utilize bioluminescence to attract mates.  It helps them attract their prey, in the same way a fisherman uses glowing lures for night-time fishing.

Tons of Toxic Waste Was Discarded in The Deep Sea 

whale tail in the ocean surrounded by plastic bottles

Tons of hazardous pharmaceutical waste was dumped in the Puerto Rico Trench in the 1970s. The quantity was equal to 880 Boeing 747s. At that time, one of the largest producers of pharmaceuticals was Puerto Rico, and it allowed dumping as a temporary measure until a new wastewater site was established. That dumping continued until the 1980s. The ecosystem was seriously damaged due to these pollutants. It also affected commercial deep-sea fishing at that time. 

Corals Make Their Own Sunscreen

Scientists have discovered that the Great Barrier Reef is able to produce natural sunscreen within itself. In fact, it also offers UVA/UVB protection to the fish species that consume coral. 

Researchers and chemists are now eager to get their hands on this natural sunscreen to make it useful for humans. However, the process can destroy a huge number of coral reefs. In fact, 55 percent of the World’s Coral Reefs are already affected due to overfishing. 

FAQs

How Do We Classify Deep-sea Fish? 

The fish species present in the deep sea are usually placed in the Actinopterygii class of animals. 

How to Identify Deep-sea Fish While Fishing?

For the most part, deep-sea fish species look identical. They usually have light-emitting organs under their eyes. The most prominent part of a deep-sea fish is its mouth which is generally larger than the head. You can also identify these sea animals through their sharp teeth and strong suction ability.

Common Deep-sea Species Age of Sexual Maturity  Habitat 
Roundnose grenadier  10 Northern Atlantic 600 to 800 meters 
Sablefish 5 Northern Pacific 300 to 2700 meters
Orange Roughy 20 to 40 Atlantic, Parts of the Pacific 180 to 1800 meters 
Smooth Oreo dory 20 to 30 Southern Atlantic and Pacific 400 to 1500 meters
Pacific Ocean perch 10 Northern Pacific: 180 to 640 meters

What Are the Regulations for Sport Fishing?

Sport fishing is regulated by laws because big game species require a lot of time to mature and overfishing is a threat to some of them. People are allowed to take a certain amount of fish with them per trip. They may be asked to even log their prey with local authorities. 

Along with size limits and other restrictions, sports fishing is usually allowed in a specific season to control the fish population. This is also to ensure that the fish in the deep continue to thrive, and people can enjoy deep-sea fishing in the future as well. 

Why Do Sports Fishers Need to Accompany an Expert Fisher Along?

Catching deep-sea species can be dangerous, and in some situations, it can even become life threatening. Their teeth are sharp enough to divide the prey in half. This is why it is suggested that gamers should always take an expert along to tackle any such issue while fishing. Similarly, some fish species can overturn the boat or become hard to handle during the activity.

Conclusion 

Deep-sea fishing is different from regular fishing practices because you need special boats and equipment to catch the prey. Deep-sea fish species are unique and comparatively bigger and wilder. Some people head to the deep sea for fishing as a hobby, while the professionals hunt big fish species for commercial purposes.