A
harpoon is a long
spear-like instrument used in
fishing,
whaling,
sealing, and other marine
hunting to catch fish or large marine mammals such as
whales. It accomplishes this task by impaling the target animal and securing it with barbs or toggling claws, allowing the fishermen to use a rope or chain attached to the butt of the
projectile to catch the animal. A harpoon can also be used as a
weapon.