The term may also be applied to methods for catching other aquatic animals such as molluscs (shellfish, squid, octopus) and edible marine invertebrates.

Gathering seafood by hand can be as easy as picking shellfish or kelp up off the beach, or doing some digging for clams or crabs.

The earliest evidence for shellfish gathering dates back to a 300,000-year-old site in France called Terra Amata.

Netting is the principal method of commercial fishing, though longlining, trolling, dredging and traps are also used.

Additional arrangements include the use of a fishing rod, which can be fitted with a reel, and functions as a delivery mechanism for casting the line.

Other delivery methods for projecting the line include fishing kites and cannons, kontiki rafts and remote controlled devices.

The rod is usually fitted with a fishing reel which functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line.

There are essentially two types of trap, a permanent or semi-permanent structure placed in a river or tidal area and pot-traps that are baited to attract prey and periodically lifted.

The explosions indiscriminately kill large numbers of fish and other marine organisms in the vicinity and can damage or destroy the physical environment.

Bottom trawling targets both bottom-living fish (groundfish) and semi-pelagic species such as cod, squid, shrimp, and rockfish.

This species is home to a diverse community of deep sea organisms, but is easily damaged by fishing gear.

Muro-ami is a destructive artisan fishing method employed on coral reefs in Southeast Asia, traditionally in Myanmar.

They can also consist of large heavy blocks of cement suspended above the sea by a crane fitted to the vessel.

[42] Ancient remains of spears, hooks and fish net have been found in ruins of the Stone Age.

The people of the early civilization drew pictures of nets and fishing lines in their arts (Parker 2002).

Early hooks were made from the upper bills of eagles and from bones, shells, horns and plant thorns.

In 1212, King Frederick II prohibited the use of certain plant piscicides, and by the 15th century similar laws had been decreed in other European countries as well (Wilhelm 1974).