Great question! There are a few reasons why sailors during long voyages often didn’t fish, even when they were running low on food:
- Difficulty of Fishing on a Moving Ship: Fishing from a moving ship is challenging. The ship’s speed and movement make it hard to catch fish, as they are less likely to bite when the bait is moving quickly through the water.
- Time and Resources: Fishing requires time and resources that sailors often didn’t have. Stopping the ship to fish would delay the journey, and there was no guarantee of catching enough fish to sustain the crew.
- Storage Issues: Even if they did catch fish, storing fresh fish on a long voyage was problematic. Without proper refrigeration, the fish would spoil quickly, leading to potential health risks.
- Dietary Preferences and Risks: Some sailors were wary of eating fish due to potential health risks, such as food poisoning from spoiled fish. They often relied on preserved foods like hardtack and salted meat, which had a longer shelf life.
- Lack of Equipment: Many ships were not equipped for extensive fishing operations. They lacked the necessary tackle and equipment to catch large quantities of fish efficiently.
So, while it might seem logical to fish when food supplies ran low, the practical challenges and risks often made it a less viable option for sailors.
Does that help clarify things?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svDB3RFuZ54&ab_channel=FunPaperAirplanes
Pirate paraphrase the above
Arrr, matey! In the treacherous seas, why did our scallywag ancestors not simply fish to fill their bellies? Here be the reasons:
- Tricky Tides: Fishing from a movin’ ship ain’t easy, ye know. The ship’s swayin’ makes it hard to catch the slippery critters.
- Time’s a Wastin’: Fishin’ takes time and supplies, and stoppin’ the ship could delay the plunderin’.
- Rotten Catch: Even if they caught fish, storin’ ’em without proper means would’ve led to a stinkin’ mess.
- Health Risks: Some wary sailors avoided fishin’ ’cause of the dangers of eatin’ spoiled fish. They preferred hardtack and salted meat.
- Lack o’ Gear: Many ships weren’t equipped for fishin’ expeditions. No proper tackle or gear to catch enough fish.
Hope that helps, me hearty! Arrr! 🏴☠️
