Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS 1)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 4
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Fisheries
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Methods Of Capture Fishery: Methods Of Capture Fishery and Hooks And Lines.
Topic: Methods of capture fishing
Subject Matter: Methods using nets, Scoop net, Gill net, Net description and use

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify scoop nets and gill nets.
Describe the characteristics of scoop nets and gill nets.
Explain how scoop nets and gill nets are used to catch fish.
State the key components of a fishing net.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of choosing the correct net for different fishing situations.
Value safe handling practices when using fishing nets.

Psychomotor Domain:

Demonstrate (simulated) the proper way to handle a scoop net.
Sketch a simple gill net, indicating its main parts.

Participate in discussions about sustainable fishing practices.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Agricultural Science (Fisheries)
State Unified Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools
Adeola, A. (2018). Modern Fisheries for Senior Secondary Schools. Ibadan: University Press PLC.
https://www.fao.org/fishery/static/docrep/003/X6743E/X6743E00.HTM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillnetting

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A real scoop net
Samples of gill net mesh
Net floats and sinkers
Pictures or diagrams of a fisherman holding and setting a net
Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand various methods used to catch fish in natural waters, especially through nets. It enables pupils to identify different net types and their uses, which is important for appreciating how fish are sourced and for potential future careers in fisheries.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are assumed to have basic knowledge of aquatic animals and the general concept of fishing from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Methods of Capture Fishing

Introduction to Capture Fishing

Capture fishing refers to the harvesting of aquatic animals (like fish) from their natural habitats such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. This is distinct from aquaculture, which involves farming fish.

Fishing Methods Using Nets

Nets are among the oldest and most widely used tools for catching fish. They come in various designs, sizes, and mesh types, each suited for different fishing environments and target species.

The following are common types of nets used in capture fishing:

Scoop net
Gill net
Cast net
Drag net

Scoop Net

A scoop net is a hand-held net with a long handle and a bag-like net attached to a frame. It is primarily used for scooping fish from shallow waters or for transferring fish in ponds and tanks.

Characteristics of a scoop net include:

It is usually small to medium-sized.
It has a sturdy frame, often circular or D-shaped, to hold the net bag.
It has a handle for easy manipulation.
The mesh size varies depending on the size of the fish being targeted.

Uses of a scoop net:

Catching fish in shallow areas of ponds, streams, or aquariums.
Collecting fish samples for study.
Transferring fish from one container to another.

Gill Net

A gill net is a long, rectangular net designed to catch fish by entangling their gills as they attempt to swim through the mesh. The size of the mesh is crucial as it determines the size of fish that can be caught.

Characteristics of a gill net:

It is made of monofilament or multifilament twine.
It has a headrope (top rope) fitted with floats to keep the net suspended vertically in the water.
It has a footrope (bottom rope) fitted with weights (sinkers) to keep the net stretched downwards.
The mesh size is specific, allowing smaller fish to pass through and larger fish to be gilled.

Uses of a gill net:

Catching specific sizes of fish in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Can be set to drift with currents, anchored to the bottom, or used in encircling operations.

Net Description and Use (General Principles)

Understanding the components of a fishing net and proper handling techniques is important for effective fishing and personal safety.

Key components of a general fishing net:

Mesh: The individual openings in the net, determining the size of fish that can be caught or retained.
Twine: The material (e.g., nylon, polyethylene) used to construct the netting.
Floats: Buoyant devices attached to the headrope to keep the net afloat or at a desired depth.
Weights/Sinkers: Heavy objects attached to the footrope to keep the net submerged and stretched.
Ropes (Headrope, Footrope, Leadlines): Strong lines that support the netting and hold the floats and weights.

Safe handling of nets involves:

Inspecting the net for tears or damage before deployment.
Carefully untangling the net to prevent injury and preserve its integrity.
Wearing appropriate protective gear, such as gloves, to prevent cuts or abrasions.
Being aware of one’s surroundings to avoid entanglement or accidents during setting and retrieval.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they know about where the fish they eat comes from. The teacher then guides the discussion towards different ways fish are caught from natural water bodies.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and share their ideas about fishing.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the lesson’s topic.

Step 2: Explanation of Capture Fishing and Net Methods

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Lecture
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines capture fishing and introduces the concept of using nets as a primary method. The teacher lists various types of nets and states that the lesson will focus on scoop nets and gill nets. The teacher writes the main topic and subtopics on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition of capture fishing and the general role of nets.

Step 3: Scoop Net

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents a scoop net (or a picture/diagram), explains its characteristics, and demonstrates how it is typically used for scooping fish. The teacher highlights its specific uses and writes key points on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the scoop net, listen to the explanation, and ask questions about its design and uses.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify a scoop net, describe its features, and state its applications.

Step 4: Gill Net

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents samples of gill net mesh, floats, and sinkers. The teacher explains the design and function of a gill net, emphasizing how fish are caught by their gills. The teacher discusses the importance of mesh size and writes key points on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils examine the net components, listen to the explanation, and participate in discussions about how gill nets work.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the structure and mechanism of a gill net and its specific uses.

Step 5: Net Description and Use (General Principles)

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elucidation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the general components common to many fishing nets (mesh, twine, floats, weights, ropes). The teacher also highlights important safety precautions when handling nets, using the provided visual aids of fishermen.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the visual aids, and take notes on net components and safety.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about the universal parts of fishing nets and safe handling practices.

Step 6: Practical Demonstration/Discussion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates (or simulates) the safe handling of the scoop net, showing how to untangle it and hold it properly. The teacher encourages pupils to describe what they observe regarding safe practices.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and discuss the importance of safe net handling. Some may simulate handling a net.
Learning Point: Pupils develop a practical understanding of safe net handling.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

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

Define capture fishing.
Mention two types of fishing nets discussed.
Describe the main difference between a scoop net and a gill net.
List three essential components of a gill net.
State two safety precautions to observe when handling fishing nets.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of knowing different fishing methods and safe practices. The teacher assigns homework: “Draw and label a gill net, clearly showing its main parts.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are given an assignment to reinforce understanding.

Lesson Keywords

Capture Fishing – The act of catching fish from natural water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Scoop Net – A hand-held net with a handle and frame, used for scooping fish in shallow water or tanks.
Gill Net – A net designed to catch fish by entangling their gills in its mesh as they attempt to swim through.
Mesh Size – The size of the holes in a net, which determines the size of fish that can be caught.
Floats – Buoyant devices attached to the top of a net to keep it afloat.
Sinkers/Weights – Heavy objects attached to the bottom of a net to keep it submerged and upright.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can ask them to research other types of fishing nets (e.g., cast nets, trawl nets) and their uses. For pupils needing more support, the teacher can provide simplified diagrams of the nets and allow them to work in pairs to answer questions, offering additional guidance and visual aids.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that actual samples or clear, large pictures of the nets and their components are available for demonstration. Emphasize the practical aspects of net handling and safety. Encourage pupils to relate the lesson to local fishing practices if applicable.