On a given signal, the net was shot around the shoal by the seine boat, and in the meantime, the free end of the net was picked up by the "follower", with a crew of perhaps five or six, and the two ends of the net were brought together. Weighted pieces of timber were placed to prevent the fish from escaping. The escaping footropes of the net were gradually drawn up until the fish were completely enclosed, and by means of baskets the fish were transferred from the net to the boat, and fishing continued until no more fish could be managed, or if catches were poor.
The passage describes the traditional method of fishing using a seine net. It details the steps involved in capturing fish, including encircling the school with the net, securing it, trapping the fish, transferring them to a boat, and continuing until no more fish can be caught or if catches are poor.