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The Chinese fishing nets of Fort Cochin, from Das Buch der Welt, Stuttgart, 1842-48

The Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) are fishing nets that are fixed land installations for an unusual form of fishing — shore operated lift nets.^[1] They are mostly found in the Indian state of Kerala. 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.

It was earlier thought that the nets might have been introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He.^[2] Recent research shows that these were introduced by Portuguese Casado settlers from Macau^[3]

The Chinese fishing nets have become a very popular tourist attraction, their size and elegant construction is photogenic and the slow rhythm of their operation is quite hypnotic. In addition, catches can be purchased individually and need be taken only a short distance to a street entrepreneur who will cook it.

Similar style fishing nets are also seen in Vietnam.

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  Kochi fishing net

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  Cheena vala (Chinese fishing net), Kochi

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  Raising the net

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  Shore based lift nets in Cà Mau, Vietnam.

See also [edit]

• Kochi
• Fishing in India

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chinese fishing nets

• Zheng He and Kochi
• Short documentary about Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi

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