Exploring Fort Kochi, Kerala

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Ancient Chinese fishing nets at the Fort Kochi beach are still in use; they use long arching tree trunks, nets, and counterweights to scoop up whatever fish come into the nets. We saw mostly small fish, but large boats were bringing in larger fish (red snapper, kingfish, baby sharks), large prawns and spiny lobsters. Smaller boats used nets to catch small fish, which were plucked from the nets on the beach. Cats prowled the beach for fumbles, and the ubiquitous Indian crows were flying overhead.

Some of the fish were "auctioned" off directly in small batches; others were sold to restaurants or individuals.

Fort Kochi is an interesting blend of cultures-- Muslim, Christian, Hindu, etc. I can hear the Muslim prayers as I enter this post. Yesterday was a major Muslim holiday marking the end of the Haj; our homestay proprietor is having us for dinner with his family tonight, after the holiday yesterday.

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Photos

Chinese nets in Fort Kochi
These nets are used with the tide to catch fish; fishing is better during the monsoon season, the fisherman said.

Auctioning the catch
Small piles of fish and prawns were auctioned off to local buyers; both small resellers (they went through the streets with a bucket of fish on a bicycle) or directly to small restaurants.

Selling chai
His chai bicycle stand was popular with the fisherman; he served it up hot in small plastic cups.