Antarctic Fishing 1 - Preparing the fishing hole in sea-ice

Preparation of an ice-hole to set a fishing net under sea ice. The snow has been pushed back from the surface and this saw with a special ice blade is being used to cut a hole through the ice. Once cut, the floating square is cut into quarters and the then each quarter pushed under the ice where it's buoyancy keeps it in place. Not too bad a job until you hit the sea, then the blade sprays you with exceptionally cold water.

Two holes like this are cut slightly further apart than the length of the fishing net that will be used here. This is a fairly shallow net, set in about 15m of water.

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Paul Ward - This picture may not be copied or used in any manner without prior written permission.