Скачать или смотреть South India: the Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) of Cochin/Kochi Kerala

Cochin (Kerala - South India) is famous for its Theater and Chinese Fishing nets. It's a must go place when you visit Kerala. Fascinating to watch the fishermen at work. Hard work for a small catch. The Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) are fishing nets that are fixed land installations for an unusual form of fishing — shore operated lift nets

Huge mechanical contrivances hold out horizontal nets of 20 m or more across. Each structure is at least 10 m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end. Each installation is operated by a team of up to six fishermen.

The system is sufficiently balanced that the weight of a man walking along the main beam is sufficient to cause the net to descend into the sea. The net is left for a short time, possibly just a few minutes, before it is raised by pulling on ropes. The catch is usually modest: a few fish and crustaceans — these may be sold to passers by within minutes.

Rocks, each 30 cm or so in diameter are suspended from ropes of different lengths. As the net is raised, some of the rocks one-by-one come to rest on a platform thereby keeping everything in balance. Each installation has a limited operating depth. Consequently, an individual net cannot be continually operated in tidal waters.
Different installations will be operated depending on the state of the tide.

see also our travelogue in English on
www.travelbyphoto.nl