The kasimedu fishing harbor was built in the mid 1970 s in Royapuram, Chennai,
Tamilnadu, one of the oldest parts of the city. In reality, much of the
activity here is informal, with auctions and business deals working on trust
and following generations of accepted practices. About 1000 mechanized trawlers
and 500 catamarans put out to sea during the fish months and bring back around
150 tons of fish a day. The industry employs about 10,000 peoples.
Kasimedu
provides sea foods for entire Chennai area, as well as cities further away. The
building of the harbor turned kasimedu into an industry town, where as entire
family of five or more depends on fishing for its livelihood. The men go out to sea. The women clean and
sell the fish.
I had
a word with the owner of a boat. I asked whether they are getting this much of
fishes every day. He replied during the trawling ban boat crews repair nets and
shoot the breeze. And it’s a crucial stage for the families in Kasimedu.
Everyday transactions worth 9crore to 12crore take place in kasimedu. Both
wholesale, retail and export business takes place in kasimedu. I noticed that
carpenters are one of the few groups who benefit from the ships being dry
docked. I saw many carpenters working in the boats which were parked in the
shore side. These fishes are exported to Europe, Iran and Russia.
The market remains open from 2 am. Fishermen bring freshly caught fishes, crabs, prawns
etc. Business people from Restaurants purchase here because of its
comparatively lower prices.
The places is unhygienic and I saw many fishermen drinking
alcohol in the early morning itself.
“We
differ in color, genus, type and class. Yet we leave peacefully in water. Learn
from us man. We are against racism.”
“They
call us Squids and we are like snipers in the sea. Look how we are here in
land. Everyone is mighty in their comfort zone.”
“If you would have seen how we survive for life at
least one time, you never do this cheap bargain for a buck or two.”
“It’s our life, it’s our own life. You might
frown because we smell fishy. Remember, it’s all to make your platter exotic
and you know what our reward is.”
“Sir, trust me. This is the best ever fish you can
ever get.”
“Do you think I am happy? It’s not because I am
greedy, even I too have few mouths to feed.”
“Not enough for us. Guess mother Sea is angry with
us.”
“Take all the treasures and empty me. So that I
can go accommodate more. Yeah. Only an empty pot can be filled, so as your mind
too.”
“Always skeletons are funny or scary. Imagine flesh
without a skeleton.”
“Happy are they and would be happier if they would
have known the real market value of their catch.”
“And this waiting always puts a meaning in my life,
strengthens my hope for tomorrow and pacify me saying my son will come back.”
“Surely,
ice will keep the fish fresh. But what will keep this ice clean. Moreover it’s
indirectly the people’s diet.”
“Sir please, it’s our effort and pain. We don’t want
any gain from this. But atleast something for our kids meal”
“Does the way so dirty, does it stink? But what
about the taste of fish? Can’t resist.”
“I know your
ways are muddy and thorny.”
“You know what, man is a social animal. But this
Government thinks we are just animals. So they give us the best environment to live in.”
“You guys think this keeps us cool? Never. They are for fresh after death.”
“When
my friends in the deep sea said that, land is full of crazy people. I never
thought that you guys live upside down.”
“Who
cares it stinking body? All I need is money. . Then money. And money.”
“You
call me mother Ocean, you fish the precious treasures from me. Yet you treat me
like a whore. Still I won’t curse you”
“Oh
rageous Ocean, Let the lightning flash. Let the thunder roll. Let the hard rain
fall, we will master you.”
“I
know I am beautiful. But, you have set your eyes on my flesh”, as you did with
those innocent girls.
“You think this is
colorful? But it’s nothing more than our blood and sweat.”
“It’s
not the net you see I mend, but my hunger.”
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