Chinese Fishing Nets, Kochi

Chinese fishing nets are synonymous to the history of Kochi because of its presence before global architectural icons such as the Taj Mahal, Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Sydney Opera House etc. Introduced by the Portuguese in the early 14th century, they form an integral part of Kochi’s landscape. Interestingly, each part of the net is still known by its Portuguese name— Kalasandhi, Bolsa, Othara, Bras, Savaya, Arolla, Arasa, Armusan etc. It is an ingenious fishing technique that allows one single fisherman to operate a 20 metres wide fishing net by himself.

They were initially made of bamboo, punna poles and rope erected on hardened coconut trunks that were driven into the water. Over time, as the shipping channel deepened, the nets had to be strengthened to withstand the strong currents. Bamboo, punna and rope gave way to teak and wire rope. Their erection and operation however, still remain as it was done centuries ago only by raw human power. The different net structures are at least 10 metres high and each one gets its net to a different level of depth to allow fishing of different kinds of fishes. On one side, a wide open fishing net and on the other, big stones are hanging as counterweights.

In order for the net to sink into the water, the fisherman only needs to walk through the structure. His weight is enough to get the net submerged. The net is allowed to remain underwater for around 5 minutes. The catch might not be huge like its structure but it gets sold almost instantly for its freshness. The fishermen get fish in their nets and directly send them to the vendors on the sea walk. The Kochi beaches are beautifully lined with these Chinese nets. The best place to watch these nets are at Vasco Da Gama Square as that place is idle and surrounded with stalls serving fresh seafood.