<p>Karwar: With mechanised fishing activities suspended for over a month due to the annual monsoon fishing ban, traditional shoreline fishing using Yendi nets has gained momentum along the Karwar coast. Recent strong winds have driven schools of fish from deeper waters closer to the shore, resulting in a good catch for local fishermen.</p><p>The first two months of the monsoon season are considered the peak period for Yendi net fishing. </p><p>During this time, purse seine and trawler fishing are banned, allowing artisanal fishers </p><p>operating near the coast to benefit from abundant fish availability.</p><p>Every day, during the early morning and late evening hours, fishermen gather at popular coastal stretches like Tagore Beach and Aligadda Beach to cast Yendi nets. Groups involved in this traditional fishing method typically consist of 15 to 25 members who work together to haul in large quantities of fish from the shore.</p><p><strong>Good catch</strong></p><p>“In the last couple of days, we have had a sizable haul with Yendi nets,” said Uday Banavali, a local fisherman engaged in traditional fishing. </p><p>“Currently, we are catching mainly burugu and bangude (mackerel) varieties. </p><p>Species like sigadi and tarle (sardines) have not appeared yet. </p><p>The yield is still not as high as expected due to reduced rainfall and calmer winds. </p><p>However, about four or five days ago, when the winds were stronger and the sea more turbulent, we saw a slight improvement in the catch.”</p><p>Traditional fishing communities in Karwar are hopeful that weather conditions in the coming days will bring larger shoals closer to the shore, ensuring a more fruitful season before mechanised boats return to sea.</p><p><strong>‘More trash than fish’</strong></p><p>“Until mid-June, Yendi nets used to yield a good quantity of fish. But this year, even though half of the monsoon season has passed, the catch has been below expectations,” said fisherman Rama Surangekar.</p><p>“In the past three weeks, most of what we hauled in with the Yendi nets </p><p>was trash rather than fish. </p><p>Cleaning the nets and removing the waste has taken up a lot of time. Due to such difficulties, the number of groups engaged in Yendi net fishing has reduced this season,” he added.</p>
<p>Karwar: With mechanised fishing activities suspended for over a month due to the annual monsoon fishing ban, traditional shoreline fishing using Yendi nets has gained momentum along the Karwar coast. Recent strong winds have driven schools of fish from deeper waters closer to the shore, resulting in a good catch for local fishermen.</p><p>The first two months of the monsoon season are considered the peak period for Yendi net fishing. </p><p>During this time, purse seine and trawler fishing are banned, allowing artisanal fishers </p><p>operating near the coast to benefit from abundant fish availability.</p><p>Every day, during the early morning and late evening hours, fishermen gather at popular coastal stretches like Tagore Beach and Aligadda Beach to cast Yendi nets. Groups involved in this traditional fishing method typically consist of 15 to 25 members who work together to haul in large quantities of fish from the shore.</p><p><strong>Good catch</strong></p><p>“In the last couple of days, we have had a sizable haul with Yendi nets,” said Uday Banavali, a local fisherman engaged in traditional fishing. </p><p>“Currently, we are catching mainly burugu and bangude (mackerel) varieties. </p><p>Species like sigadi and tarle (sardines) have not appeared yet. </p><p>The yield is still not as high as expected due to reduced rainfall and calmer winds. </p><p>However, about four or five days ago, when the winds were stronger and the sea more turbulent, we saw a slight improvement in the catch.”</p><p>Traditional fishing communities in Karwar are hopeful that weather conditions in the coming days will bring larger shoals closer to the shore, ensuring a more fruitful season before mechanised boats return to sea.</p><p><strong>‘More trash than fish’</strong></p><p>“Until mid-June, Yendi nets used to yield a good quantity of fish. But this year, even though half of the monsoon season has passed, the catch has been below expectations,” said fisherman Rama Surangekar.</p><p>“In the past three weeks, most of what we hauled in with the Yendi nets </p><p>was trash rather than fish. </p><p>Cleaning the nets and removing the waste has taken up a lot of time. Due to such difficulties, the number of groups engaged in Yendi net fishing has reduced this season,” he added.</p>
