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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gill net

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

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

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

When he spotted my father, Derek hauled in the gill net and made a run for it.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

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