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

The legislation followed the recent implementation of Washington’s voluntary buyback program, which spent $14.2 million on halting 85% of active state-issued Columbia River gill net licenses.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2023

Since then, at least one vaquita has died in a gill net, according to advocates.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2021

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

Here’s what my dad said had happened: He was out bonefishing with two doctors from New Jersey when he spotted Derek Mays stringing a gill net near Little Rabbit Key.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen