How Chinese fishing nets work

Used mostly in Fort-Kochi, Kerala, Chinese fishing nets make for quite an unusual method of fishing. The net is called cheena vala in Malayalam; it literally translates to Chinese net.

Legend has it that the fishing nets were introduced into Kochi by the Chinese explorer Zheng He. It dates back to Kublai Khan's time (mid 13th century), when trade between Malabar Coast and China was just getting started. Some others believe that the nets were brought to India by the Portuguese during the 15th century, from Macau which was once a Portuguese colony.

The net is attached to a large wooden structure fixed on the land. The basic mechanism is similar to that of a weighing scale -- you have heavy rocks on one side and the net spread out on the other. The structure is about 10 meters tall and the net is roughly 20 square meters. Each installation is operated by a team of six fishermen.

Rocks of different weights and dimensions hang from ropes of varying lengths. They are set up in such a way that the weight of a man walking along the main beam will slowly lower the net on the other side and cause it to sink into the sea.

The net is left inside the water for about five minutes and is then pulled up using the ropes. The catch is usually modest -- a handful of fish and some crustaceans. Chinese fishing nets operate almost all day long.

Chinese fishing nets are very much a part of Kochi, and they attract a lot of tourists. The central wooden beam is light teak or bamboo, and it lends a certain elegance to the structure. The slow rhythm of the entire fishing process is quite hypnotic. Suspended horizontally over the sea, the nets look like huge hammocks.

Source: Wikipedia

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