https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Chinese_fishing_netsChinese fishing nets - Revision history2026-07-30T20:36:14ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Chinese_fishing_nets&diff=112335&oldid=prev>Monkbot at 01:33, 15 January 20212021-01-15T01:33:22Z<p></p>
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[[File:Marine Drive View.JPG|thumb|350px|Chinese fishing net. A [[blue hour]] view from [[Marine Drive, Kochi]]]]<br />
'''Chinese fishing nets''' (''Cheena vala'') are a type of stationary [[lift net]] in [[India]]. They are [[fishing nets]] that are fixed land installations for [[fishing]]. While commonly known as "Chinese fishing nets" in India, the more formal name for such nets is "shore operated [[lift net]]s".<ref>[http://www.fao.org/figis/servlet/geartype?fid=255 Shore operated stationary lift nets].</ref> 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. While such nets are used throughout coastal [[southern China]] and [[Indochina]], in India they are mostly found in the [[India]]n cities of [[Kochi]] and [[Kollam]], where they have become a tourist attraction.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.panoramio.com/photo/89228861 |title=Panoramio - Images from Kollam ashtamudi |access-date=14 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145919/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/89228861 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This way of fishing is unusual in India and almost unique to the area, as it was introduced by Chinese explorers who landed there in the 14th century. Indeed, one interpretation of the city name Kochi is ‘co-chin', meaning ‘like China.’<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.backpackingbella.com/11-essential-experiences-kerala-backpacking-trip/|title=11 Essential Experiences for a Kerala Backpacking Trip}}</ref><br />
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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]], which may be sold to passers-by within minutes.<br />
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Rocks, each 30&nbsp;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.<br />
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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.<br />
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The nets may have been introduced by the [[China|Chinese]] explorer [[Zheng He]].<ref>''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'', Volume 136, No 21, p. 53. 14 June 2004.</ref><br />
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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.<br />
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<gallery widrths="200"><br />
File:Chinese fishing net at kollam.JPG|Chinese fishing net at [[Kollam]]<br />
File:Chinese Fishing Net (Kochi, India).jpg|[[Kochi, India|Kochi]] fishing net<br />
File:Raising a Chinese fishing net.jpg|Raising the net<br />
Image:Fishing, Cà Mau.jpg|Shore based lift nets in [[Cà Mau]], [[Vietnam]]. <br />
File:Chinese Fishing nets.webm|Chinese Fishing nets at Kochi, Kerala<br />
File:Fort Cochin view.JPG|A view from [[ Fort Kochi]]<br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Fishing in India]]<br />
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== References ==<br />
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==External links==<br />
{{commons category|Chinese fishing nets}}<br />
* [http://www.time.com/time/asia/features/journey2001/india.html Zheng He and Kochi]<br />
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii81eUj6cXs Short documentary about Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi]<br />
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{{fishing tackle|expanded=techniques}}<br />
{{fisheries and fishing}}<br />
{{Tourism in Kerala|state=collapsed}}<br />
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[[Category:Fishing nets]]<br />
[[Category:Tourism in Kerala]]<br />
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]<br />
[[Category:Fishing techniques and methods]]</div>>Monkbot