Basnig

Basnig is a traditional fishing technique in the Philippines. They lure fish with gas powered lights during the nightly fishing trips. 24 to 30 person crew boats go to sea in the afternoon and return early the following morning.

They use bamboos rods, each of which has a pulley and cable attached to a net, installed at the bow and stern of the boat, two on both sides on the first section of the boat, two on both sides on the midsection of the boat and two again on the last part of the boat each of the bamboos has a pulley and cable on it. They use huge nets and gas powered lights to attract fish after dark. The captain of the ship observes the water and fish movements under the boat and then asks the crew to get ready. The central lights are turned off, but those on the bow and stern remain on in order to ensure the fish will stay under the boat but move toward the bow and stern.

The captain estimates how deep the net should go and then the crew members working each pole, two to pull the ropes and one to brake, lower the nets to the depth he orders. When the nets are lowered, the Makinista turns on the lights, one by one, now from the bow and stern to the midsection, then turns them off in the same order.

Each crew member has individual responsibilities; a Pilot or Piloto is the head of the boat, and has one or two subordinates, Segunda Piloto (2nd Pilot) and sometime Tricera Piloto (3rd Pilot). The Makinista (machinist) is in charge of the motor and the electrical system, Timonil is like the driver, Taong Lambat in charge with the net in case of damage, Kusinero the Cook, and the rest are just crew members.

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