drift net

American  

noun

1. a fishing net supported upright in the water by floats attached along the upper edge and sinkers along the lower, so as to be carried with the current or tide.

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drift net British  

noun

1. a large fishing net supported by floats or attached to a drifter that is allowed to drift with the tide or current

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Etymology

Origin of drift net

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

In Somalia, he covered a devastating famine, in Singapore he reported on illegal drift net fishermen and in El Salvador he narrated stories of gang members.

From Washington Post • Dec. 20, 2022

Skytruth is developing an algorithm that would automatically flag vessels that betray classic drift net fishing behavior — essentially, sailing in large loops with lengthy pauses at each end — via their AIS readings.

From Time • Aug. 24, 2016

He told reporters he had worked for years to end drift net fishing – which he likened to strip mining.

From The Guardian • Jun. 11, 2014

Kerry, who worked to curb drift net fishing and shark finning during his time in the Senate, had initially hoped to hold the meeting in October but it was canceled due to the government shutdown.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2014

The water was streaming into the rip in my sweats, pulling them away like a drift net.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith