FAO/FIIT Fishing Gear Type Fact-Sheet Lampara nets [LA] updated : 10-mai-2001 ISSCFG Classification : > Category : Surrounding nets > Type : Lampara nets Profile General Description: The lampara net is a surrounding net, shaped like a dust pan or a spoon (the leadline is much shorter than the floatline) with two lateral wings and a central bunt with small meshes to retain the catch. Specific Handling Equipment: A smallcapstan and a fishderrickare usually all the special equipment required; the hauling, at the same time, of the two wings is, in general, done by hands with several crew members. The fish is removed from the net with small seines or by means of ascoop net/brailer. Fishing Vessels using this gear: The vessels are, in general, relatively small and simple:9 to 18 meters in length with a 50 to 150 HP engine with a clear working deck. The size of the crew is, in general, rather high (necessary manpower for hauling the net after the fish was surrounded). Fishing Operations: The net is mostly used with a single vessel, like a boat seine operated by a single vessel. Once the shoal of fish has been surrounded, the two wings are hauled up at the same time. Features Target Species: Pelagic fish Areas: Lampara nets are mainly operated in the Mediterranean, in the USA and South Africa especially forsardines, in Argentina for anchoveta andmackerels or in Japan, not only for sardines, but also forseabream and flying fish; sometimes in inland waters. The Gear and its Environment: Deployment Area: The gear can only be used to catch fish close to the water surface. Impact on Aquatic Species: The principal impact produced by this category of nets may be occasional bycatch/discards (undersize specimens, no marketable specimens, non target species, etc.), in particular when the lampara is used in association withaggregating devices (FAD).