| Fishing is the activity of
hunting for fish by hooking, trapping, or gathering. By extension, the
term fishing is applied to pursuing other aquatic animals such as
various types of shellfish, squid, octopus, turtles, frogs, and some
edible marine invertebrates. The term fishing is not usually
applied to pursuing aquatic mammals such as whales, where the term
"whaling" is more appropriate, or to commercial fish farming. Fishing is
an ancient and worldwide practice with various techniques and traditions
and it has been transformed by modern technological developments. In
addition to providing food through harvesting fish, modern fishing is
both a recreational and professional sport. According to FAO statistics,
the total number of fishermen and fish-farmers is estimated to be 38
million. Fisheries provide direct and indirect employment to an
estimated 200 million people worldwide |