Innovative Design of Bottom Hand Line to Increase the Catch of Demersal Fish around Manado Bay

The bottom hand line is one of the fishing tools commonly used by fishermen around Manado Bay. This fishing gear is classified as environmentally friendly and selective because it does not damage the ecosystem, and the hook size of the fishing line used is adjusted to the target catch. The making of this fishing gear is straightforward, as in the construction of fishing rods in general. Namely, the branch line is tied on the main line and given a hook and a weight. This old construction, when operated, often occurs twisting of the branch line on the main line, so the catching success rate is low. Based on these problems, this study aims is to create a new design that minimizes twisting of the branch line on the main line, which in turn can increase the catch. The method used in this research is an experimental fishing method. In this experiment, four boats used fishing lines with the old construction, and the other four ships fishing lines with the new structure. The results obtained during the 15 trips of experimental fishing were 38 for the old construction fishing line and 80 for the new construction fishing line.

Keywords: vertical handline, new construction, experimental fishing, Manado Bay