Longlining

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. A method of fishing that involves using a main line with many baited hooks attached along its length
2. A technique that targets various fish species by deploying a long, strong line that can cover extensive areas
3. An approach to catch fish that employs a lengthy line, often set at different depths, facilitating multi-species harvesting

Etymology: Longlining is a plain compound. "Long" modifies "line," and in fishing "line" means a cord with hooks attached. The gear is one main line, often many kilometres long, with shorter baited branch lines hanging from it at intervals. Fishers set it out and leave it in the water for hours before hauling it back. The verb comes from the noun "longline," which was used for this gear first. English often turns a noun into a verb without changing its form, so "to longline" means to fish this way. The "-ing" ending makes the form that names the activity itself, as in "longlining is used to catch tuna."

Synonyms: fishing, angling, line fishing, catching, trawling