- Kambavala is a traditional fishing method in Kerala that is low-impact and fuel-efficient and with a lower impact on the environment compared to mechanised fishing using trawls and ring seines.
- A largely communal endeavour, Kambavala fishing is faced with environmental threats like geographical alterations and human-induced changes in aquatic habitats as well as mechanisation and intergenerational mobility, contributing to its decline in popularity.
- Government support and policy interventions such as fisheries certification, eco-labeling and establishing modern supply chains are essential to ensure the resilience and well-being of traditional fishing communities.
Nestled within the coastal communities of Kerala lies an age-old practice that embodies the essence of sustainable living: Kambavala fishing. This traditional method, deeply ingrained in local culture, not only sustains livelihoods but also exemplifies a harmonious relationship with the environment.
Kambavala fishing has all the makings of an environment-friendly livelihood. It is sustainable; it adheres with the low impact and fuel efficient (LIFE) fishing advocated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and other agencies; and it has low capital engagement unlike the modern and popular fishing systems such as trawls and ring seines.
Evolved from a local name for wooden canoe (kamba) and fishing net (vala), Kambavala fishing is also called Karamadi in some parts of Kerala. It is a communal endeavour, involving a group of skilled fishers (not less than 30) who operate from the shoreline.
The process is steeped in tradition, with most part of the operation, from towing the vessels to hauling in the catch, carried out manually. Shore seines are operated using canoes, catamarans and fibreglass boats within the areas of 0.5 km to 3 km from the shore. The net, made of cotton or nylon or polyethylene, is a long, rectangular-shaped one with floats along the top and sinkers at the bottom to keep it vertically positioned in the water. It has long coir ropes and webbing attached on two opposite sides.
First, the net is loaded on the boat. Before leaving the shore, one of the towed ropes is passed to a group of fishers on shore. The boat makes a semicircular course while shooting the net, and when it reaches the shore, the remaining rope is passed to another group of fishers. Two teams of 20 to 40 workers haul the net at a time. Meanwhile, three to four crew of the boat return to a position behind the seine and move ashore with it. These men control the net as well as prevent the fish from escaping the net by splashing the water with either their hands or paddles or even coconut leaves to scare them. Just before the cod-end reaches the shore, one or two crew on the canoe jump into the water to cover the mouth of the gear to prevent the fish from escaping. As the hauling progresses, the crew members holding the ropes on the coast come closer and the net is dragged ashore.
A Kambavala unit with an average lifespan of three to five years costs Rs. 0.7 million. While traditional fishing vessels operated on paddles, the modern ones use engines with capacities reaching up to 9.9 horsepower (hp).
Kambavala employed more, not profitable anymore
One of the most employment-generating fishing operations, since a large number of people are required to paddle, shoot the nets and haul them, Kambavala fishing is carried out usually in the mornings and takes around two to four hours to complete. December to April is considered the best season for this type of fishing and the gear is not operated during rough weather. Commonly caught species are coastal pelagics including sardine, mackerel, needlefish, anchovy, carangids and pomfret.
This fishing method is particularly popular in the south of Kerala. While the Kerala fisheries statistics 2015 points to around 53 Kambavala units operating in Kerala, fishers working in Vizhinjam fishing harbour in Thiruvananthapuram say that there has been a massive reduction in the number of units of Kambavala.
It was in the 1960s that the marine fishing in Kerala started getting mechanised. There were huge economic benefits to mechanised fishing with motorised boats that allowed venturing into deeper waters and longer stay at the sea and the modern gears like ring seine, purse seine assuring high catch, it contributed to increased fishing pressure threatening sustainability and also leading to inequitable benefit distribution. It also pushed the once vibrant artisanal fishing communities using hand-powered boats and traditional techniques out of the ecosystem.
Small-scale fishers stand no chance against mechanised operations. This has led to a focus on the mechanisation of traditional handicrafts, particularly along the southwestern coast of India.
Despite Kambavala being a cost-effective method of fishing, the economic viability of the method is suspect. A comparative analysis of two fishing units based in Vizhinjam fishing harbour revealed that although the unit effort (total labour hours per trip or per Kambavala in a day) is higher in shore seine operations compared to outboard fibre boats, the catch per unit effort is notably low. Consequently, the total revenue generated remains low and is not proportionately advancing with the escalating costs and efforts invested. The overall return is insufficient, and when distributed among labourers, the individual share is inadequate to meet basic livelihood needs. As profitability waned in Kambavala, fishers transitioned to alternative fishing methods. Moreover, the substantial cost of a workforce of 30-40 labourers poses an additional challenge.
Conventions erode with intergenerational mobility
Intergenerational mobility refers to the change in socio-economic status between different generations within a family. Education is often a key factor for this mobility and contributes to the erosion of certain conventional occupations. Rameshan, a 60-year-old fisherman inherited his Kambavala from his father and pursued the job without hesitation. His son, an educated youth, however, is not interested in this field.
Vizhinjam beach resident Vijayan (60) recalls seeing fish swimming on the shore in his younger days, but now he feels the fish are abandoning the coast. Studies point to a clear correlation between development activities and fish migration. Various human-induced changes in the aquatic environment, such as the construction of dams, bridges, or other infrastructure projects, disrupt the natural flow of water and affect the habitat of fish species.
Alterations in geography, which include coastal and beach erosion, climatic impacts like heightened cyclonic activity, and developmental interventions like the construction of harbours and seawalls, have also reduced the beach sizes. Once a prominent centre for beach seine operations, Sanghumugham beach in Thiruvananthapuram, for example, remains a shadow of its past, primarily due to the limited beach area. It is safe to assume that Kambavala, a shore-based fishing operation, could have been negatively impacted by these changes.
Role of market expansion and certification
A significant factor contributing to the decline of the traditional fishing system in Kerala is the untapped potential of markets for sustainably harvested fish. Despite the fact that 85 percent of the Kerala population consumes fish, the supply chain for delivering fresh fish to remote areas remains underdeveloped.
The quality of fish deteriorates rapidly within half an hour of being caught, highlighting the urgent need for preservation methods such as ice and refrigerated transport systems. Expanding the supply chain and establishing modern fish outlets in remote areas are critical steps towards catering to the demand while preserving traditional fishing systems.
Fisheries certification serves as a crucial avenue for promoting sustainable fishing practices. Initiatives such as eco-labelling establish rigorous standards for fisheries since these certification processes encompass evaluations of environmental impact, fishing techniques, and product traceability. Securing certification not only enhances the credibility of fisheries but also grants them privileged access to markets that prioritise sustainable and ethically-sourced seafood. Consequently, consumers are more inclined to trust and choose certified products, leading to heightened market visibility and increased prices.
Given the distinct characteristics of Kambavala, pursuing certification could be an optimal strategy. Certification typically entails training and capacity-building efforts to empower traditional fishers with requisite knowledge and skills. While there may be initial costs involved, these could potentially be subsidised by government schemes promoting eco-friendly initiatives. As consumer demand for environmentally-conscious products rise, certification has the potential to align traditional Kambavala fishers with market trends, thereby fostering both economic and environmental benefits.
The marine fisheries sector in Kerala has undergone substantial changes, prompting traditional fishers to seek alternative livelihoods. This transformation highlights the necessity for comprehensive policies and support mechanisms to ensure the resilience and well-being of traditional fishing communities. Mechanisation in fishing is often driven by poor economic returns. If traditional fishers are assured a minimum income, many might refrain from resorting to unsustainable fishing practices. This, however, requires market support that aligns with evolving consumer preferences, emphasising the need for policy interventions in this regard.
This article is an outtake of the project “Marine fishery in Kerala: A Study on Evolution of Policy, Cost and Earnings of Fishing Units and Income of Fisher Households” by researchers at the ICAR- Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Cochin, Kerala, funded by the Planning Board, Government of Kerala.
Banner image: Fishers get ready for a Kambavala operation on a wooden boat in Kerala. The traditional fishing method of Kambavala is waning due to various economic and environmental factors. Photo by Vijaykiran V.
