Fishermen take Chances Fishing in God’s Own Country

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Fishing boats and Chinese fishing nets line the shore at Kochi, India. (Photo by Victoria Nechodomu/Nechodomu Media)

The morning has just giving way to afternoon in Kochi, a small coastal town in the southwestern India state of Kerala. The sun is already unbearably intense, making the tropical air heavy and muggy.

The beach here is a working beach, cluttered with nets, plastic tubs, scraps of wood, and sandbags. The massive, looming structures of Chinese fishing nets faintly creek as they are raised and lowered into the current.

An "expert" fisherman negotiates with locals to settle on a good price for his morning catch. (Photo by Victoria Nechodomu, Nechodomu Media)
A fisherman negotiates with locals to settle on a good price for his morning catch. (Photo by Victoria Nechodomu/Nechodomu Media)

 

A row of small wooden boats lies along the shore, propped up on logs and rough boards. Half a dozen fishermen stand between their boats, sorting the day’s catch and mending their nets.  The men wear stained button-down shirts and lungis, a form of traditional wrap-skirt. They have just returned from a 6-hour morning of fishing, and locals are excited to see what they have caught, forming a crowd around their boats.

Fishing is one of Kerala’s most important economic sectors, with over 200 fishing villages throughout the state. Despite being a leading industry in an area many consider to be, “God’s own country,” this job is not without its challenges.

A Fishing Family

Abdul Rahim appears to be one of the youngest fishermen lingering on the beach this morning.  Having had a rough morning of fishing, he and his partner decided to bring their boat in early for the day. He has already changed into his street clothes; he wears jeans and a black shirt unbuttoned to reveal part of his chest. He is a man in his late 20’s; his skin is dark and weathered.

Rahim is the youngest in a family of fishermen, and hopes to have enough money to buy his own boat some day. (Photo by Victoria Nechodomu/Nechodomu Media)
Rahim is the youngest in a family of fishermen, and hopes to have enough money to buy his own boat some day. (Photo by Victoria Nechodomu/Nechodomu Media)

Rahim belongs to a family of fishermen. His father has worked the Chinese fishing nets for the past 35 years. His older brother works on a large deep sea fishing boat and is gone for days at a time. Rahim is now in his 4th year as a fisherman.

“I am happy to fish,” he states, explaining how his father served as a role model, working the Chinese fish nets for as long as he can remember. This is how Rahim got his start to fishing—first helping his father on the nets, and then working as an apprentice and helper in a small fishing boat.

We are all poor people here

“Rich people wouldn’t want to fish,” Rahim says with a high-pitched laugh. “We are all poor people here.” He points out the various types of fishing along the beach, and describes the long hours and low profits each type of fishing produces.

One of the five crew members of a Chinese net takes a short break while the net is in the water. (Photo by Victoria Nechodomu/Nechodomu Media)
One of the five crew members of a Chinese net takes a short break while the net is in the water. (Photo by Victoria Nechodomu/Nechodomu Media)
Another common form of fishing in Kochi is net fishing by hand. After 5 casts, this man pulled in 3 small mullet fish. (Photo by Victoria Nechodomu/Nechodomu Media)
Another common form of fishing in Kochi is net fishing by hand. After 5 casts, this man pulled in 3 small mullet fish. (Photo by Victoria Nechodomu/Nechodomu Media)

According to Rahim, a majority of the small fishing boats and nets are owned by wealthy men who charge commission for their use. In the case of the small boats, he and his partner must turn over 30% of their fishing profits to the boat owner.

He watches as a larger boat drifts by, similar to the one his brother works on. Those boats, he says, is where the real money is at. But it is difficult and dangerous work to get into unless you already have a skillset they need. The dangers at sea, during multi-day trips, have resulted in injuries and drowning.

With a relieved sigh, he says, “My brother is ok because he is only a driver. He is safe.”

There are also risks involved in the small fishing boats. “Sometimes is danger times, some water runs fast, very powerful water. Ships cause some problems,” explains Rahim.

With the increase in fisheries as well as tourism and population, the amount of water traffic has increased. Ferries, fishing boats, small wooden boats, navy vessels, and cargo ships share the same small confined area in front of the Kochi Beach. Here, Rahim finds that other boats cause a great threat, often damaging his nets.

“I’m not studying in the school more. I don’t know other jobs,” Rahim explains. “Fishing is easy, free. No big bosses, no crazy bosses.” His bright smile spreads across his entire face. “I have work, my life is very happy.”

Rahim especially enjoys the community of fishermen he works among. As each boat pulls in after several hours of work, other fishermen along the coast will drop everything they’re doing to help pull in the incoming boat.

“There is no tension…very peaceful. Christian people, Muslim people, Hindu people, all together working this area as fishing people. Friends,” Rahim describes.

“This is a good place, it is God’s own country,” Rahim concludes, peacefully resting against his boat, which he lovingly calls his heart.