Mangalore: Fishing in the lap of nature, for livelihood and recreation
 
Vineeth Monis
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
 
Mangalore, Jul 22: As fishing activity on the seas has come to a halt since June 15, fishermen in the area have turned to an alternative source to earn their living - by fishing in the Netravati - Gurpur rivers.
 
The Netravati-Gurpur offers different fish varieties like ‘Kane’, ‘Payye’, ‘Thede’, ‘Jenji’, ‘Mala’, and others which are in great demand in the market.

Speaking to Daijiworld, fisherman Chandra from Chikmagalur who has been carrying out fishing in Kulur said, "There is a great demand for freshwater fish in the market and there are instances of all the fish being sold within five minutes.”
 
Chandra has been carrying out river fishing for the past 30 years and says the best season for this activity is from January to March. “The right time to catch fish is when the river water is stagnant. During monsoons, we cannot predict the right time to catch fish as water keeps flowing due to heavy rains. Usually, we prefer to catch fish during the wee hours,” he said.
 
“We are commonly called as ‘Bestaru’ (fisher folk) while a few call us ‘Gange Makkalu’ (children of the river Ganges),” says Shantamma. “During monsoons, we do not get profit but it is sufficient to earn a living. We also face problems from local fishermen as they create trouble by stealing our fishing nets,” she said.
 
Usually children of fisher folk are seen joining their parents in fishing but here Shantamma has set an example by sending her children to a nearby school in Kulur. “I will give education to my children as long as I can afford to,” she says.
 
Fishing in pond water is not confined to the fishing community alone. Keerthi Raj, who works in an MNC in the city enjoys the activity. “During monsoons, I usually go to my native place to catch fish at a nearby pond where I will be accompanied by my cousins and friends,” he says. “Pond fishing in the midst of nature is a fun and relaxing activity,” he added.
 
“River fish to some is a delicacy and a rare find. If the right fish is cooked with the right ingredients, it always makes a mouth watering dish,” says Deepak Kumar.