The Chinese Fishing Nets – India

Chinese Fishing Nets in India are called Cheena Vala , these are nets that are fixed land installations which were used for fishing. Each structure is at least of 10 m High and comprises of a cantilever with an outstretched horizontal net of about 20 m or more, which is suspended over the sea. Each Installation is operated by at least 6 fishermen ,It's amazing to see something so fundamental and ancient still in use today.

These fishing nets are made from bamboo and WORK using ropes weighted by rocks. Although such nets are used and found in coastal China , these nets are more commonly found in the Indian cities of Kochi and Kollam , they have become a world known tourist attraction. Fish is then sold on the waterfront - you pick your fish and they will cook it for you on the spot. It is believed that the Chinese fishing nets were brought in by the Chinese Explorer in Fort Kochi from the court of Kublai Khan, a Chinese emperor. Fishing by Chinese nets is very different from ordinary fishing nets. While fishing through Chinese fishing nets, the nets are submersed into the sea and kept for a few minutes, raising it finely at once by six fishermen. All of them have to maintain the equal balance while bringing up the net from the water.

However, there are multiple usages of Chinese fishing nets in Cochin Harbour. They form the main fishing accessory in Kochi, The water covered with these nets at the time of sunset makes a bewitching and pleasant scene to the travellers.