Fishweir

/ˈfɪʃwɪr/ noun

Definition

A low dam or barrier built in water to catch fish or direct their movement, often woven from branches.

Etymology

From Old English 'fisc' + 'weir' from Old English 'wer' (to defend). One of humanity's oldest fishing technologies, appearing in archaeological sites.

Kelly Says

Indigenous peoples in the Pacific Northwest engineered remarkably sophisticated fishweirs that exploited tidal patterns and fish behavior—some designs were so effective they've been continuously used for over 3,500 years.

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