V. Sasikumar

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Shore-operated lift nets, popularly known as Chinese fishing nets, have for long been the source of livelihood for numerous fishermen in Kochi in Kerala.But this industry is in decline due to various transformations, both environmental and economic. Fish stock has been dwindling due to intense trawling and pollution by industries in and around Fort Kochi. Profits from the catch are appropriated by middlemen, and the fishing community gets only a fraction.

The fishermen’s problems are aggravated by ill-designed government
schemes that are not cognisant of their specific needs. Additionally, the
growing cost of maintaining the nets has become economically unproductive for
the owners. Young people are opting out of this occupation, and the Chinese fishing nets might eventually disappear from Fort Kochi’s shorelines.

Casting a net in Fort Kochi

ફોર્ટ કોચીના માછીમારોની જાળની જંજાળ

கொச்சி துறைமுகத்தில் மீன்பிடி வலைவீச்சு

फोर्ट कोचीतली जाळेफेक

କୋଚି ଦୁର୍ଗରେ ଜାଲ ପକାଇବା

فورٹ کوچی میں جال ڈالنا

Kochi

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Casting a net in Fort Kochi

The signature shore-operated lift nets – or ‘Chinese fishing nets’ – at Fort Kochi in Kerala are now a barely viable source of income for fishermen

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