Chinese Fishing Nets

Fort Cochin’s Chinese Fishing Nets, a beach installation for centuries, predate the arrival of Portuguese colonizers. Believed to have been introduced by the Chinese explorer Zheng He in the early 15th century, these nets are permanent horizontal structures. They are operated using a system of cantilevered ropes, bamboo poles, and balancing weights and pulleys. Teams of up to six fishermen work together to lower and raise the nets, though the catch is usually modest. Visitors can observe the traditional fishing method and the intricate mechanics of this age-old practice.