Small catch

Deep in muddy water, traditional fisherfolk nimbly catch clams and karimeen with their bare hands

Photographs By

Prasoon Kiran

January 29, 2025

For the better part of the last decade, 71-year-old Leela has practised fishing with her bare hands (noodling) in the Pokkali fields of Kadamakkudy, an island suburb off Kochi city. She and other traditional fisherfolk dive into the waters, feeling for fish with their fingers; stomping to flush them out; using leaves to capture them, and employing other ingenious techniques to bring the catch to the surface. In districts such as Kochi and Alappuzha, fishing is not merely a livelihood. The lives of thousands of people here are deeply intertwined with nearby water bodies, as they engage in small-scale fishing alongside their regular jobs. Some cast their nets early in the early hours of the morning, before they leave for work, while others cook fresh catch to take along with them for a satisfying lunchtime meal.

Though it gives her only a modest income, Leela treasures the ability to work independently—and in harmony with nature.

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Pokkali fields allow for the integrated farming of paddy and prawns. Central Kerala’s Pokkali fields bear a striking resemblance to the Kaipad farming system practised in the state’s northern region; both methods rely on the natural tidal ebb and flow.

The presence of migratory birds like the Little Cormorant in large numbers points to the abundant availability of fish in Kadamakkudy.

Leela works in the muddy field from the break of dawn till noon.

Once it is caught with bare hands, the catch is held tightly in the fisher’s mouth before it is dropped into an aluminium pot whose opening is covered with leaves to prevent the fish from jumping out and escaping.

When they sense the presence of humans in the water, karimeen (pearl spot fish) tend to lie motionless in the mud to protect themselves. Having observed this behaviour, fishers are able to catch them rather easily.

Leela’s age may come as a surprise to those who are unfamiliar with Kerala’s fishing traditions. These methods, which require half of the fisher’s body to be immersed in the mud, are largely carried out by the older generation.

A long day of work has yielded a relatively small amount of fish. Yet, having spent hours in muddy water makes Leela vulnerable to health risks like skin infections.

The illegal dumping of waste has posed a major threat to traditional fishing in Pokkali fields and swamps. The careless disposal of glass bottles, for example, has made fisherfolk vigilant about possible injuries as a result of broken shards.

There are takers for live fish, too. For the price of Rs 50, Leela hands over a bag filled with fish kept stable in water.

Years of practice and routine have enabled Leela to skilfully catch shrimp, crabs, karimeen, choottachi (orange chromide), and clams.

She smiles as she prepares to return home. Amid changing dietary needs, as consumers make more responsible choices and seek out cleaner, less commercial options, the work of traditional fisherfolk assumes a greater significance.

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Small catch

Though it gives her only a modest income, Leela treasures the ability to work independently—and in harmony with nature.

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