Reality behind a picture perfect fishing scene
Against the backdrop of the vast blue ocean, the group of stilt fishermen seated on a narrow pole tied to a stick – the riti-panna with their fishing rods kithul pitta in hand, make a colourful picture. The view indeed is a perfect frame for the camera lens. Standing safely on the shore both locals and tourists admire this age-old fishing method practised by the fishing community in areas like Welipenna, Koggala, Kumbalgama, Midigama, Thalarambe and Kathaluwa down South.
Sadly, the life for these stilt fisherfolk is not so rosy as the picturesque scene they present to passers-by.
Few returns: Stilt fishermen on their perch. Pix by Susantha Liyanawatte
Being perched on a narrow plank for long hours is an uncomfortable arduous effort that makes their feet go numb, they say. But for those who do not have sophisticated fishing equipment or boats, this is the only means by which they could earn an income. Fishermen who go out to sea by boat also switch to this method, when the monsoon arrives, as the seas are too rough to take their boats out.
“Some do stilt fishing and go on boats alternately,” says H. Ranjith, a father of three who has done stilt fishing for close to 40 years. According to Ranjith, there are days where, even after spending hours and hours on the pole, they only get a small catch that would earn them a mere Rs. 200-300 a day, barely enough for a decent meal for the familu. “Usually, during May, June and July there is a good catch, but sometimes when fishermen who go on boats from fishing harbours, lay fishing nets around 300 – 400 kilometres away from where we are without our knowledge, it affects our catch,” he says.
He is joined by other fishermen who practise this traditional method of fishing, who speak about the hardships they face due to the absence of a fishing harbour in the Koggala, Kathaluwa area, a predominantly fishing community of about 265 fisher family. “There is no fishing harbour close by, The nearest is in Mirissa or Galle. Joining the boats that leave from Galle/ Mirissa area is difficult,” the fishermen say, adding that if there was a harbour closer to Koggala or Kathaluwa, they would have more opportunities to go out in boats.
“When we see people bathing or swimming in the vicinity, we get off the poles and send them away. Sometimes this happens repeatedly and it makes our task more stressful. We spend more time trying to prevent people from disturbing our fishing activity, hardly having time to concentrate on the catch. On such days, we face a complete loss,” added another fisherman Ranga Kumara who has been earning his living this way for about 17 years.
Impressed: Cycy and Rob from the UK
The day begins early around 5 even before sunrise when they get on their poles and they fish till about 8 or 9 a.m. after which they sell their catch to the buyers who come to their location. Around 3 p.m they return for the evening session and stay on till sunset, this time mainly with the foreigners and tourists in mind. “There are foreigners who come to take our photos or experience this activity. We even help them get on the pole and fish. They give us small tokens or money, in return,” the fishermen say.
For the tourists it is a novel sight; Cycy Fleurance from London, who was holidaying with her fiancé in the island for the first time said seeing a painting of a stilt fisherman at the hotel she was staying at, made her want to see how exactly it is done. Her fiance Rob Thomas said he was quite impressed how the fishermen manage to perch for long hours on such a narrow seat.
For the stilt fishermen, the sad reality is that their options are few. This is their traditional livelihood. Though they make little profit, for now they seem destined to continue with it, perhaps the photo ops being a small diversion in an otherwise tedious day.