These drifnets nets are locally known as Ghezula in Malta and Gozo. They are used throughout the year but mainly from January to March.

These drifnets are single gillnets of 44 mm mesh size knot. They are approximately 4-5 m tall. Their lengths depend on the places where they are to be used.

The “Gholi/Ghezula” is usually set at 2 or 3 a.m. The net is left to drift with the current and has to be continually inspected by the fishermen. Around 6 a.m. the nets are pulled out.
The main effort is undertaken in waters around 15 to 25m depth.

Mainly species caught with this type of net include little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), Mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) and melva (Auxis rochei).

This is no longer used due to a UN resolution.

The product is commercialised fresh and is for local consumption.

The trammel net is locally known as Parit.

These nets are bottom set nets consisting of three walls of netting, the two outer walls have a mesh size of 140 mm knot to knot, whilst the central net has a constant 22 or 28 mm mesh. They are approximately 2 to 2.5 meters deep. The conventional length of the Parit is about 120 m. Fishermen tie together up to five of the nets in series.

The “Parit” is usually set at 4 or 5 p.m. The fishermen come back at the sunrise, around 6 a.m. and then the nets are pulled out.

The main effort is undertaken in internal waters along the coast where depth varies from 10-30 m. The terrain varies from posidonia meadows to rocky and sandy areas.

They are mainly used during the winter months when the weather does not allow long term fishing on the high seas.

Species caught with this type of net include red mullets (Mullus surmuletus), octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), and species belonging to the genus Scorpaena (Scorpaena spp).

The product is commercialised fresh and is for local consume.

These combined gillnets-trammel nets are locally known as Parit Xkitt.

These bottom set nets are composed by two different types of nets. A single gillnet of 22 mm mesh size is above a trammel net so that along with species caught by normal trammel nets, mid-water species such as bogue (Boops boops), mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) and little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) are also caught. Below the single gillnet there is a common trammel net, consisting of three walls of netting, the two outer walls have a mesh size of 140 mm knot to knot, whilst the central net has a constant 22 or 28 mm mesh. They are approximately 3 to 3.5 m deep.

The “Parit Xkitt” is usually set at 4 or 5 p.m. The fishermen come back at the sunrise, around 6 a.m. and then the nets are pulled out.

The main effort is undertaken in waters around 15 to 30m deep. The terrain varies from posidonia meadows to rocky and sandy areas.

They are mainly used from January to October.

Species caught with this type of net include red mullets (Mullus surmuletus), octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), species belonging to the genus Scorpaena (Scorpaena spp) and the mid-water species mentioned above.

The product is commercialised fresh and is for local consume.

The bottom set longlines are locally known as Konz tal-Qiegh.

These longlines usually have between 600 and 700 hooks. The size of the hooks depends on the species targeted (sizes 10 and 11). Pieces of chub mackerel are used to bait the hooks. The longlines are wound up in a circular basket and the hooks are attached to cork which border the rim of the basket.

Full-time fishermen set the longline around 11 p.m. and they pull out the longline after approximately four hours, in order to arrive in time to the fish market to sell their landings.

Part–time fishermen set the longline at 5 or 6 p.m. and they come back to port. They go back at 5 a.m. to pull out the longline.

Usually these longlines are set in deep rocky areas at depths ranging from 90 to 130 m.

This fishery takes place throughout the year.

Common dentex (Dentex dentex), white seabream (Diplodus sargus) and common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) are the main targeted species.

The product is commercialised fresh. The product is consumed mainly in Malta but there are also some exports.

The trolling line is locally known as Rixa.

These trolling lines are 30 meters long, with only 2 hooks of size no 11, where artificial lures are attached. The distance between the two hooks is 1 ½ m approximately. The fishery is undertaken during the morning or during the afternoon (never at noon) during four or four and half hours. These lines are pulled behind a moving boat and predatory fish try to swallow them.

The fishery is mainly carrried out away from the shore (at least 7 miles).

This gear is mainly used during the second half of the year, from August to January.

Species caught with this trolling line are dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) and amberjack (Seriola dumerili).

The product is commercialised fresh and is for local consume.

The Kulpara are hand lines that target squids (Loligo vulgaris).

The Kulpara consists of a rosette of hooks. When the squid stuck to the hooks the line is suddenly pulled up.

The fishery is always undertaken at night, from 8 p.m. to 12 or 1 p.m.

The boats fish close to the shore, at depths of 20-25 m.

This fishery is practised all year round, catches are better when there is full moon.

The product is consumed locally.

Dolphinfish, Lampuki in Maltese, are captured using "fish aggregating devices" (FAD's) called kannizzati. These kannizzati are small rafts made of floating material, which are anchored to the bottom. They were introduced after it was noticed that dolphinfish tend to aggregate within the canopy of shadow that these floats make.

Once the dolphinfish are aggregated, they are caught by surrounding nets without purse-lines. When the boat is near a kannizzati various trolls made out of feathers or artificial bait are set and when one fish is caught, a decoy dolphinfish is thrown into the sea to attract any others that may be present under the kannizzati. When the number of fish present makes it worthwhile, the surrounding operation (15 to 20 minutes) is then undertaken.

This fishery is carried out at night, from the sunset to the sunrise. Usually the vessels fish during two nights and then return to the port to land the capture. "Lampuki" fisheries takes place all around the island except for a corridor which is kept free from lampuki kannizzatis so that swordfish fishing can be undertaken. The sites start from 7 miles offshore at intervals of one half or three quarters of a mile depending on the district. Each vessel lay up to 300-400 kannizzati in a straight line (up to 130 nautical miles) along the way points indicated by the Department. The distance between each kannizzati is 0.25 nautical miles.

The dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) season extends from September to November.
Dolphinfish or lampuka (in Maltese) is one of the most important species for the economy of the Maltese fishing industry. Another species fished as by-catch in this fishery are pilot fish (Naucrates ductor), amberjack (Seriola dumerilii) and wreckfish (Polyprion americanus).
The total number of boats involved in the fishery is aproximately 100.

The product is commercialised fresh and is for local consume.

This surrounding net with purse seines is locally known as Lampara.

The term "lampara" is used because fishermen use strong lights to attract fish, which are then caught by purse seining. The purse seine is between 400 to 450 meters long and about 105 meters high. The size of the mesh is a constant 23 mm knot to knot.

The fishing operation is usually undertaken from 7 p.m to 3 or 4 a.m. Two or three small boats (tenders) use strong lights to attract the fish. When it is attracted the tender make a signal to the purse seine and switch off the lights. Then the purse seiner surrounds the fish school and pull out the net.

"Lampara" fishing is undertaken throughout the year except for the period from September to December when these boats target the dolphin fish. Although catches are more or less constant, the peak period is during May.

Species caught with this type of gear include chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), mediterranean horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus), bogue (Boops boops) and allis shad (Alosa alosa).

At present only six purse seiners based in Marsaxlokk (Malta) and Mgarrr (Gozo) undertake this fishery.

"Lampara" fishing takes place all along the North side of the island but the main zone is around a shallow area covering about 5 square miles, known as Hurd Bank.

The product is commercialised fresh and is for local consume. The allis shad is not consumed but is used as bait in other fisheries.

Traps targeting bogue, vopa in Maltese, are locally known as Nassa tal-Vopi.

The material used to construct these traps is cane cut into fine strips or special reeds which are imported from North Africa. The traps used for bogue have a peculiar oval shape.

The “Nassa tal-Vopi” are usually set in the afternoon and they are pulled out of the water after four or five hours. Usually around 15 of these pots are set at a distance of 1 m from the bottom, at 15-20 m depth.

Bait consisting of bread mashed with fine-powdered beans is placed hanging on the side of the pot and the fish enter through the bottom constriction to eat the bait.

This fishery is practised all year round.

The species caught with this type of pot is the bogue (Boops boops).

The product is always consumed locally and sells as fresh fish.

Traps targeting octopus, qarnita in Maltese, are locally known as Nassa tal-Qarnit.

The material used to construct these traps is chicken wire netting. The shape of these traps is rectangular.

The “Nassa tal-Qarnita” are usually always in the water. From 5 to 7 p.m. the fishermen pulled out the traps, take out the capture, bait the traps with chub mackerel and then they are set into the water again.

Up to 150 traps could be set together in the bottom at 10-20 m depth.

This fishery is practised all year round.

The species caught with this type of pot is the octopus (Octopus vulgaris).

The product is always consumed locally and sells as fresh fish.

Traps targeting picarel, arznella in Maltese, are locally known as Nassa tal-Arznell.

The material used to construct these traps is cane cut into fine strips or special reeds which are imported from North Africa. The shape of these traps is oval or round.

The “Nassa tal-Arznell” are only used in the island of Gozo. They are usually set in the afternoon, around 3 p.m. and they are pulled out of the water after four or five hours.

Up to 4 traps are set at a distance of 1 m from the bottom, at depths ranging from 15 to 20 m.

No bait is required because it is thought that the fish enter inside the pot to spawn.

This fishery is practised from March to mid May.

The species captured with this type of pot is the picarel (Spicara smaris).

The product is always consumed locally and sells as fresh fish.