Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Cormorant (fishing)
Phalacrocorax carbo
25.2736, 110.29
Field Notes
Description:
Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method in which fishermen use trained cormorants to fish in rivers. Historically, cormorant fishing has taken place in Japan and China from around 960 AD.
To control the birds, the fishermen tie a snare near the base of the bird's throat. This prevents the birds from swallowing larger fish, which are held in their throat, but the birds can swallow smaller fish. When a cormorant has caught a fish in its throat, the fisherman brings the bird back to the boat and has the bird spit the fish up. Though cormorant fishing once was a successful industry, its primary use today is to serve the tourism industry.
Habitat:
Lijiang River Guilin, China.
Notes:
Seriously old 35mm prints from a trip to China in 1991 that I have scanned so please forgive the poor quality!
I have to admit that I did feel rather sorry for the poor cormorants though we were told they are well treated by the fishermen because trained birds are so valuable.
Comments (2)