June 18, 2007: Ukai, traditional Japanese comorant fishing

Undertoad · 06-18-2007, 02:35 PM

Welcome, it's Neatorama Collaboration Monday!

The Sydney Morning Herald had this one featuring Ukai, a traditional fishing method that has been used in Japan for 1300 years, or so they say. In Ukai, you use a sea bird, a comorant, on a leash to fish for you.

It's pretty disgusting and so the practice is pretty much limited to a small group of traditional fishermen. Why?

This page has more detail, including the note that they have to prevent the bird from eating the fish somehow. So they put a small ring around its neck, and once the bird catches something...

..you make it cough up the goods.

According to Neatorama's Alex, the practice was originally founded in China.

Be sure to visit Neatorama for more neato items all the time!

06-18-2007, 02:35 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	June 18, 2007: Ukai, traditional Japanese comorant fishing Welcome, it's Neatorama Collaboration Monday! The Sydney Morning Herald had this one featuring Ukai, a traditional fishing method that has been used in Japan for 1300 years, or so they say. In Ukai, you use a sea bird, a comorant, on a leash to fish for you. It's pretty disgusting and so the practice is pretty much limited to a small group of traditional fishermen. Why? This page has more detail, including the note that they have to prevent the bird from eating the fish somehow. So they put a small ring around its neck, and once the bird catches something... ..you make it cough up the goods. According to Neatorama's Alex, the practice was originally founded in China. Be sure to visit Neatorama for more neato items all the time!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)