Chinese Fishing Net
In India, Chinese fishing nets are fishing nets that are fixed land installations for fishing. Chinese Fishing Net locally known as Cheenavala in Kerala. 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.
Stork on Chinese Fishing Net – Fort Kochi
Net Installation
Each installation of Chinese fishing nets are 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 South Indian cities of Kochi and Kollam, where they have become a tourist attraction.
Chinese fishing nets balanced with heavy rocks
Chinese fishing nets 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.
Rocks, each 30 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.
Man walk through the Chinese fishing nets
Each installation of Chinese fishing nets 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.
Tourism
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.
See Chinese Fishing Nets Live at,
