a hand net with a long handle is often called a dip net. there are popular contemporary dip net sockeye salmon fisheries in chitina, kenai river, and kasilof river alaska, typically lasting two to three weeks, and is regarded as a subsistence fishery for alaska residents only. dip nets can also be used to scoop crabs in shallow water. the basket is made of wire or nylon mesh, rather than cloth mesh, since crabs fight, bite, twist and turn when they are caught.