Sewing Fishing Nets

Sewing fishing nets is a profession which is associated to sea fishing since ancient times. In Algeria, fishermen generally perform it according to each type of fishing ship. Some old fishermen who have lost the physical ability to face waves and sea are nowadays sewing fishing nets. There are also many women who entered the field of sewing nets since long time, in the family environment and according to the needs of the profession, such as what is found in the regions of Tipaza, Bejaia and Jijel, which are known by organizing training courses dedicated to women by the fishing sector. 

After each sea fishing operation, the tailors gather to repair the damage to their nets caused during the fishing trip, due to the fishing process and to the force of traction or tension on the nets or the presence of rocks or strong fishes that damage the nets as well, depending on the type of the ship. 

Tongs and a needle to sew the nets are the tools required in the process.  The tongs can be made manually. It is a wood of the size of a pencil, slit from its ends and the yarn that joins it and picks it up is wrapped around it to make squares of threads woven together in an equal and uniform geometric shape. It is taken into account during spinning accuracy and equal distances between the nets’ openings and sizes of the lengths of the beginnings and ends of the net, which are fixed from cork and lead ropes to ensure that the fishing net is slack and that fish can enter freely.  

The activity of sewing fishing nets is seen as an inherited and important activity for the good conduct of fishing in Algeria, because of the role of net tailors in the maintaining of the production cycle, as well as their presence in ports keeping this activity in the seaports and shelters.   

Drawing: MENSOURIA Soheib

Facial value: 25 AD 

Dimensions: 35x35

Printer: Printing House of the Bank of Algeria

Printing process: Offset

Philatelic Document: A 1st Day Envelop of 10.00 AD with obliteration 1st Day illustrated.

1st Day Sale: Thursday and Saturday, on September  01st and 03rd, 2022 In the 48 main post offices of the chief towns of each wilaya.

General Sale: Sunday on  September  04th, 2022. At all post offices.