The line fishery is one of the oldest fisheries in South Africa and operates from both small boats or from the shore. Linefishing is done with either a handline or a rod and reel, which must have less than 10 hooks per line. In line fishing, hook sizes, sinkers and the weight and composition of lines vary, depending on target species and rig, and as such the method is highly selective. Line fishing produces a wide variety of species, many of which cannot be returned to sea alive because of the effects of barotrauma. A large portion of the catch includes target species below the size limit.