In Barrio Umboy, Sta. Cruz, Laguna Province, an improved type of fishing gear, the abuyan, has been recently developed from the age-old seket. The abuyan was designed for mechanized operation in catching the white goby (Glossogobius giurus), an important commercial fresh-water fish in Laguna de Bay. The introduction of the abuyan gear has developed into a sizeable industry with a current total investment of no less than 50,000 pesos worth of crafts and gear used in the goby fishery. The gear is rapidly being adopted in different fishing centers in the lake, and at this writing about 20 pairs of motorized outfits are used in the fishery. The increased catching efficiency of this gear compared to its prototype, the seket, and the widespread complaints by other fishermen against its allegedly destructive effect on the goby fishery have led to the study of the gear and its commercial catches. Field observations on the construction and operation of the gear were conducted at Barrio Umboy, Sta. Cruz, Laguna Province, from January 1953 to June 1953, inclusive.
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