Rain, rain, let me go afishing again

Sonal D'Cunha

The western costal region is well-known for fishing. Fishermen spend crores of rupees on fishing. On an average, they spend around ten and half months fishing.

Whenever they set out on a fishing expedition, they carry food for 15 days along with water and fuel for their boat. They traverse dangerous waters and risk their lives for their livelihood. Their business empire is vast, extending from areas near Sri Lanka to

Pakistan. But with arrival of the monsoon, their business comes to a standstill because of heavy rains and unpredictable waters.

It is against the law to fish from May 31 to August 15. Normally, the fish breed during this period and so the waters are ripe again by mid-August. This serves as a much-needed vacation for these hardworking fishermen.

This is when they spend time with their families. They also do other part-time jobs to make some money. Apart from this, the fisherfolk repair their boats and prepare them for the fishing season. They also weave fishing nets.

On the eve of Narli Poornima, after releasing the golden coconut into the sea, the fishing season begins once again, bringing us our choicest seafood.