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Tangled lives on a Chinese net
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The Chinese fishing nets, a unique part of Kochi heritage, are facing problems that may make them a thing of the past. These picture perfect contraptions and those who man them need immediate help to survive, says SANJAI DAMODARAN
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THE CHINESE nets are to Kochi what the gondolas are to Venice. No visit to this historical city is complete without taking a look at the brawny men manning those huge structures at Fort Kochi. They are an inextricable part of this place, steeped in history and heritage.
Unfortunately the lives of those fishermen who set up and work these nets are in dire straits. There is no justice at all for what they get for their hard labour is certainly not fair wages. And if the situation continues to persist very soon, we may have Chinese nets made of steel and cement, some kind of a memorial to those original structures that once lined these shores. And maybe someone will even have an epitaph with the words, "For want of a fish the labour was lost," inscribed on a shiny plate.
The Chinese fishing nets have been here since time immemorial. To a mind fuelled and perfected by imagination, there is a French window of opportunity here, hence a bounty of fresh fish to be caught in these scenic waters. A lot of ink has been put on paper about who invented it, who brought it to these tranquil shores and an ocean of ornate words about how these finely balanced fishing machines have served people who were willing to work hard and how the fish and the fishermen seemingly lived happily ever after. The end predictable and befitting a fairy tale, but unfortunately the times have changed.
The reason for things going right or wrong in these times is invariably economic. The cost of making one of these is anywhere between Rs. 2 lakhs and 3 lakhs, depending upon its size. A person who has the practical experience and proficiency in assembling one can save a few thousand rupees. Otherwise the manufacturing cost remains high, the reason being that the wood in consideration is teak and any other wood simply means you are making a provision to be penny wise and pound foolish.
The other part involves four to five able-bodied men who have the honour of finding out for themselves the irony of the idiom, "Hard work pays rich dividends." The money earned through the sale of fish is shared between the worker and owner of the net on a 70:30 ratio respectively. When a worker is asked what was the lowest pay he has seen so far, he says, "I have received just Rs 3 two years back, not to mention the days when there was nothing to take home," says Mr. Naushad, a regular worker.
The monsoon season can be particularly trying for the workers, as the relentless rain and the truant sun can put them on a routine of fits and starts at work. Rains add a dangerous edge to currents and unpredictable winds, thereby turning work on these nets dangerous.
Putting off regular maintenance of these nets for another day, perhaps for want of money, can mean a brush with death. Adding to all this is the faithful and unfailing arrival of the water hyacinths, just after the rains. They call this, not so fondly, their "yearly bonus." Hauling these water plants along with the fish not only increases the load on these finely balanced machines but could also lead to breakage and bodily harm to the men at work.
The last straw, in a way, is the case of "too many nets spoil the catch." Though the number of fishing nets has dwindled, for want of fish or money in whichever order, there are other illegal methods of fishing which is putting pressure on these traditional fishermen.
Stretching and laying nets at the entrance to the Port is believed to be unlawful. But one can easily take a head count of around 30 small fishing craft that almost completely stonewalls the efforts of the Chinese nets. The nets that are used by these small craft are almost magnetic. When they are thrown into the waters, no fish or fry can escape them. There have been times when these tangled interests have led to heated exchanges and even to minor skirmishes between these groups.
The Chinese fishing net workers are now resigned to their fate, for they are aware that the powers-that-be have adopted the attitude of sitting on the fence. When this subject was broached, Mr. Balan, a Chinese fishing net worker, made a sardonic remark: "The powers-that-be have willed these waters to the boatmen."
Bank, Society, Karippera, Kochuvala, Pankan, Karadi, American, Jaico, Gate... .they are all names of Chinese fishing nets. These and others have been a part of Chinese fishing net folklore for a long time now. Let us not consign them to history books through our ignoble inaction. They are living, beautiful objects that need to be protected. Things are not, surely, going to look up for these tireless workers. But then something needs to be done to prevent these nets from falling into the deep, blue sea along with the men who man it.
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