Call to preserve indigenous fisheries knowledge

A seminar on traditional fishing and indigenous knowledge has emphasised the need to preserve the technical knowledge of native fishermen for the sustainability of fisheries.

KS Purushan, Professor of Eminence, KUFOS, said indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) is very helpful in promoting eco-friendly fishing practices by observing various signs and signals in sea and sky. It demands skilled and strategic approach, season favoured fishing, conservative and sustainable practices, he said.

Purushan was speaking at a seminar at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS).

Close observation A competent traditional fisherman can make use of this ITK closely observing the various factors in the atmosphere, sky, oceanic medium and water turbulences. He is able to judge how the water currents and tides would affect the fishing endeavour. Feeling the temperature of water in finger tips, some fishermen are able to predict the presence of fishes at times.

The ability to predict weather changes due to formation of clouds is an important indigenous technical knowledge for fishing. An experienced traditional fisherman can predict, by observing the constellation and concentration of stars, the availability of fishes to follow during subsequent days. The reddish hue seen in the horizon during certain evenings is believed to be a fore-runner for the availability fish such as mackerel, he said.

The seminar proposed that steps be taken to set up museum and art gallery to conserve and popularise the traditional wisdom. It also recommended including ITK as a course programme for fisheries students.

Challenges In another session on challenges faced by traditional fishermen, it was noted that the declining trend of fish catch is the main challenge for the fishing community.

The reasons put forth include climatic change, temperature variations, water pollution, and reclamation of water bodies and over-fishing. The inclusion of foreign trawlers in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone was also found to be a threat to the coastal fishery resources.

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