purse seine

¹

noun

1. a large seine, for use generally by two boats, that is drawn around a school of fish and then closed at the bottom by means of a line passing through rings attached along the lower edge of the net.
2. a technique of fishing that utilizes a purse seine to capture large schools of fish, especially tuna.

purse-seine

²

[ purs-seyn ]

verb (used without object)

, purse-seined, purse-sein·ing.

1. to fish using a purse seine.

purse seine

noun

1. a large net towed, usually by two boats, that encloses a school of fish and is then closed at the bottom by means of a line resembling the string formerly used to draw shut the neck of a money pouch or purse

Other Words From

• purse seiner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of purse seine¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

Their wiggling catch arrives alive, not smushed as in a purse seine, or ripped and bleeding from a gill net.

From Seattle Times

The study’s authors analyzed catch data from purse seine nets, which capture all of the fish in a small area.

From Seattle Times

The fisheries target all five species of concern, and all gear types, including those using gillnet gear and purse seine, trolling and other methods.

From Seattle Times

French and Spanish fishing fleets take the majority of fish, using industrial methods such as “purse seine” with huge nets that often net juvenile yellowfin yet to begin reproducing.

From Reuters

Fish under the device are gathered by a “purse seine” - a large wall of netting that encircles an entire area or school of fish with a line that can close the net at the bottom.

From Washington Times