All Nylon Tuna Seine Invention

Anton was born in San Pedro, one of three sons of Jakov Misetich. Well known in San Pedro, Anton was the skipper of the Anthony M which featured the first all-nylon tuna seine, 410 fathoms in length and a depth of 34 fathoms. The net proved successful in its first use on the 1956 trip of the Anthony M to the high seas off South America, a trip that took 39 days, ending with docking of the boat at StarKist, Terminal Island, February 28. Only six sets were necessary to give the 120 vessel enough tuna, largely skipjack, to return to her home port. Bad weather slowed the voyage home. Figuring heavily in the efficiency of the new net, with its advantages of lightweight and great strength, is the swift and easy handling by the Puretic Power Block. On the trial of the net and power block in the San Pedro harbor, only about 45 minutes were required for the set and until the net was again stacked on the turntable. It was a water haul, merely to test the gear. Skipper Misetich believed the nylon tuna net working with the power block was the salvation of the tuna purse seine industry; and he highlighted the fact that the lightness of the net and its quick handling by the power block made even a skunk set pardonable, since the time of hauling-in the net is cut in more-than-half, giving the crew time to find a more productive fishing ground. (Pacific Fisherman)