gill net

American  

[gil] / gɪl /

noun

1. a curtainlike net, suspended vertically in the water, with meshes of such a size as to catch by the gills a fish that has thrust its head through.

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gill net British  

/ ɡɪl /

noun

1. fishing a net suspended vertically in the water to trap fish by their gills in its meshes

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Etymology

Origin of gill net

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

The critically endangered vaquita has been imperiled by illegal gill net fishing for the fish totoaba, itself an endangered species whose bladder is highly valued in Asia.

From Reuters • Oct. 3, 2023

Mexico has come under increasing international pressure to enforce gill net fishing bans throughout protected vaquita habitat.

From New York Times • Jun. 7, 2023

A gill net vessel deployed in the Gulf of Alaska alongside the research ships also will be trawling to test the catch efficiency of different gear types.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 28, 2022

With plenty of protections already on the books, the judge said, the rule would “threaten the economic viability of the drift gill net fishery while providing minor environmental benefits.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2021

The Reverend Groves was not in, but his wife, Lillian, informed Ishmael that Carl Heine had drowned and been found tangled in his gill net.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson