Fishing Crafts and Methods of Harvesting Fish for SS 3

Class: SS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Fisheries
Curriculum Theme: Materials and methods of harvesting fish
Previous Lesson: Fishing Gears and Methods of Harvesting Fish
Topic: Materials and methods of harvesting fish
Subject Matter: Various fishing crafts: Dug-out canoe; Wooden/flat botton canoe; Motorized canoe; Dingy; Trawlers; Methods of harvesting fish; Hooks and line; Netting; Pond draining; Impailing-spearing; Electrofishing; Ultrasonic; Trawling; Pond draining – using scoop net; Practical

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify various fishing crafts used in Nigeria.
• List different methods employed for harvesting fish.
• Describe the characteristics of each fishing craft.
• Explain how each fish harvesting method works.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of appropriate fishing crafts and methods.
• Show interest in learning about traditional and modern fishing techniques.
• Recognise the need for sustainable fishing practices.

Psychomotor Domain

• Differentiate between various fishing crafts based on their features.
• Demonstrate the proper use of simple fishing gears like hooks and line or a scoop net.
• Illustrate the application of different fish harvesting methods.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 Revised 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 3
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Pictures and diagrams of various fishing crafts (dug-out canoe, motorized canoe, trawler, dingy).
• Illustrations of different fish harvesting methods (hooks and line, netting, electrofishing equipment).
• Actual fishing gears such as hooks, lines, or a small scoop net (if available).
• Video clips showing fishing crafts and harvesting methods in action.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important because it provides students with foundational knowledge of the tools and techniques used in the fisheries industry. Understanding fishing crafts and harvesting methods is essential for effective and sustainable fish production. It also prepares students for practical applications in aquaculture and capture fisheries.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have basic knowledge of fish farming, types of fish, and the general importance of fisheries to the economy.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Materials and Methods of Harvesting Fish

Fishing Crafts

Fishing crafts are vessels or boats used by fishermen to carry out fishing operations. They vary in size, design, and propulsion systems depending on the fishing environment and target species. Common types include:

1. Dug-out Canoe: This is a traditional fishing craft made by hollowing out a single tree trunk. It is simple, manually propelled with paddles, and commonly used in shallow waters like rivers, lakes, and lagoons.
2. Wooden/Flat Bottom Canoe: Constructed from planks of wood, these canoes often have a flat bottom, providing stability in calm waters. They are typically propelled by paddles or small outboard engines and are suitable for inland and coastal fishing.
3. Motorized Canoe: This is an upgraded canoe fitted with an outboard motor for propulsion. It allows fishermen to cover longer distances and reach fishing grounds faster, increasing efficiency.
4. Dingy: A small, open boat, often inflatable or made of fiberglass, typically used as a tender for larger boats or for recreational fishing in calm waters. They can be rowed, sailed, or powered by a small outboard motor.
5. Trawlers: These are large, commercial fishing vessels designed to pull a fishing net (trawl) through the water. Trawlers are equipped with powerful engines, advanced navigation systems, and fish processing facilities, used for large-scale deep-sea fishing.

Methods of Harvesting Fish

Fish harvesting methods are techniques used to capture fish from their natural habitats or aquaculture systems. The choice of method depends on the type of fish, water body, and scale of operation. Key methods include:

1. Hooks and Line: This method involves using baited hooks attached to lines to catch fish individually. It can be done manually (handline) or with multiple hooks on a longline, targeting specific fish species.
2. Netting: Netting involves using various types of nets to trap or entangle fish. Common types include gill nets (fish get entangled by their gills), cast nets (thrown to encircle fish), seine nets (used to enclose fish in an area), and drag nets.
3. Pond Draining: This method is primarily used in aquaculture ponds. It involves gradually draining the water from the pond, concentrating the fish in a smaller area, making them easy to catch.
4. Impailing-Spearing: A traditional method involving the use of sharp pointed tools like spears, harpoons, or arrows to catch fish, especially larger ones, by piercing them. It requires skill and precision.
5. Electrofishing: This technique uses electricity to stun fish, causing them to float to the surface where they can be easily collected. It is often used for scientific surveys or to remove unwanted fish species.
6. Ultrasonic: This method uses high-frequency sound waves to disorient or attract fish, making them easier to capture. It is a less common but emerging technology in fish harvesting.
7. Trawling: As mentioned under crafts, trawling is a method where a large net (trawl) is dragged behind a boat (trawler) to scoop up fish from the seabed or mid-water. It is a highly efficient but controversial method due to its potential environmental impact.
8. Pond Draining – using Scoop Net: After partially or fully draining a pond, a scoop net (a net with a handle) is used to manually scoop up the concentrated fish. This is a common final step in pond harvesting.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they learned about the importance of fish farming. The teacher then introduces the topic by asking students how fish are caught from rivers, lakes, or ponds.

Pupils’ Activity: Students respond to the questions and share their ideas about fish harvesting.

Learning Point: Introduction to topic

Step 2: Identification of Fishing Crafts

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visualisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays pictures or diagrams of various fishing crafts (dug-out canoe, wooden/flat bottom canoe, motorized canoe, dingy, trawlers). The teacher explains the characteristics and uses of each craft.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the pictures, identify the crafts, and listen to the explanations, asking questions for clarification.

Learning Point: Types of fishing crafts

Step 3: Discussion on Fishing Crafts

Time: 6 minutes

Teaching Skill: Discussion/Comparison

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion comparing the different fishing crafts, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages in various fishing environments. For example, traditional vs. modern, inland vs. deep sea.

Pupils’ Activity: Students participate in the discussion, comparing and contrasting the crafts, and sharing their understanding.

Learning Point: Fishing craft characteristics

Step 4: Introduction to Harvesting Methods

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Categorisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the concept of fish harvesting methods and begins explaining the first few methods: hooks and line, netting, and pond draining. The teacher uses illustrations or simple demonstrations.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen, observe, and take mental notes of the methods explained.

Learning Point: Initial harvesting methods

Step 5: Further Harvesting Methods

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher continues to explain and demonstrate (if possible with simple tools or videos) the remaining harvesting methods: impailing-spearing, electrofishing, ultrasonic, trawling, and pond draining using a scoop net. The teacher emphasizes safety where applicable.

Pupils’ Activity: Students pay close attention to the explanations and demonstrations, noting the differences between methods.

Learning Point: Advanced harvesting methods

Step 6: Practical Application/Demonstration

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Practical/Guided Practice

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates the use of a simple fishing gear like hooks and line or a scoop net. The teacher encourages students to describe how these tools would be used in a real scenario.

Pupils’ Activity: Students observe the demonstration and describe potential practical applications of the gears.

Learning Point: Practical gear usage

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Name three types of fishing crafts.
2. Describe one difference between a dug-out canoe and a trawler.
3. List four methods of harvesting fish.
4. Explain how electrofishing works.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding crafts and methods

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on fishing crafts and harvesting methods into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson content

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarising

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the lesson by reiterating the importance of knowing various fishing crafts and harvesting methods for efficient and sustainable fisheries. The teacher encourages students to think about how these methods impact the environment.

Pupils’ Activity: Students listen attentively and reflect on the lesson’s key points.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Research and write a short paragraph on the environmental impact of trawling and suggest one alternative sustainable fishing method.

1. Define a fishing craft in your own words.
2. Identify two fishing crafts commonly used in your local community (if applicable, otherwise state general Nigerian context).
3. Describe the process of harvesting fish using the “pond draining – using scoop net” method.
4. Compare and contrast “hooks and line” with “netting” as fish harvesting methods, mentioning one advantage and one disadvantage of each.

Lesson Keywords

• Fishing Craft – A boat or vessel used for fishing operations.
• Dug-out Canoe – A traditional canoe made from a hollowed tree trunk.
• Trawler – A large fishing vessel that drags a net through the water.
• Harvesting Method – A technique used to catch fish.
• Netting – Catching fish using various types of nets.
• Electrofishing – Stunning fish with electricity for easy collection.
• Scoop Net – A net with a handle used for manually scooping fish.

Differentiation

For weaker learners, the teacher will provide simplified diagrams and focus on identifying the main types of crafts and methods. They will be encouraged to describe one feature for each. For faster learners, the teacher will challenge them to discuss the economic implications of using different crafts and methods, or research advanced fishing technologies.

Suggested Lesson Videos

Search YouTube for: “Types of fishing boats and gear SS3 Fisheries Nigeria”

Teacher Guide for Using This Lesson Plan

Before the lesson, ensure all visual aids (pictures, diagrams, or video clips of fishing crafts and harvesting methods) are ready. If possible, have actual simple fishing gears like hooks, lines, or a small scoop net for a practical demonstration. Begin by engaging students with questions about fishing to activate prior knowledge. Systematically introduce each fishing craft and harvesting method, using visuals to make the concepts concrete. Encourage students to differentiate between the crafts and methods based on their features and applications. During the practical demonstration, emphasize safety and proper handling of tools. Allow ample time for questions and discussions. Ensure students copy the Board Summary notes accurately in Step 8. Conclude by reinforcing the lesson’s main points and setting relevant homework to extend their learning.