A corf (pl. corves) also spelt corve (pl. corves) is a container of wood, net, chicken wire, metal or plastic used to contain live fish, eels or crustaceans (such as crayfish) underwater, at docks or in fishing boats.^[1][2]

Origin of term

1350–1400; Middle English from Dutch and German Korb, ultimately borrowed from Latin corbis basket;^[3] cf. corbeil

History

Corves were originally crucial to keep captured fish fresh until the boat with the catch reached its harbor.^[4] A corf could be towed behind the boat while fishermen made the journey from the fishing grounds to the fish market. These journeys could last up to half a day.^[5] When used for storing eels in Blekinge, Sweden, the corves could be as large as 3.75 by 1.33 by 0.8 m (12 ft 3+5⁄8 in by 4 ft 4+3⁄8 in by 2 ft 7+1⁄2 in) and contain about 2 metric tons (2.2 short tons; 2.0 long tons) of eels. They would be anchored approximately 100 m (330 ft) from land in an area where the water circulation was good to keep the eels alive.^[6] Smaller corves were often used in fishing boats to keep live bait for longline fishing.^[4]

The corf could also be built into the boat, and sometimes be a significant part of it.^[4] Fishing boats with a well amidships where water is circulated through small holes in the hull are known as well smacks.^[7][8]

In present days corves used for this purpose have commonly been replaced by refrigeration and freezing.^[9]

Building

A corf-house is a small building or shed constructed for commercial curing of fish, mostly salmon, in. It is also used to store nets and fishing equipment in.^[3] One such house is the listed By Lovat Bridge Corf House in Beauly, Scotland.^[10]

Modern use

Corves are mainly used by recreational fishermen and mass-produced in plastic netting or metal.^[11][12] Their use is regulated through laws and regulations in some countries such as Sweden,^[13][14][15] and Australia.^[16]

Modern fishing boats often have integral corves. These are built into the boat and the water in them kept fresh and oxygenated through a circulatory system with water and air pumps. This kind of corf is called a livewell.^[17][18]