Harpooning in India: A Sustainable Fishing Tradition | Global Issues

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India – Sudhi Kumar, a 51-year-old fisher from the coastal village of Kovalam in Kerala, India, demonstrates the fluid movements of harpoon fishing, even without a harpoon in hand. The recent rough seas have temporarily halted his practice of a fishing method he pioneered among local communities over three decades ago.

Kumar was the first native fisher in Thiruvananthapuram to adopt harpoon fishing, a technique previously unknown to the region’s fishing communities. He learned the method from a French tourist in the early 1990s, when Kovalam was emerging as a popular beach tourism destination. “I was seeing the equipment for the first time in my life,” Kumar recalled, describing the encounter that changed his fishing practice.

After the tourist allowed him to try the harpoon, Kumar successfully caught a large Silver Mooney fish. The Frenchman gifted him the harpoon, a gesture that set Kumar apart. “I was so thrilled – I was the only one here who owned it,” he said. He quickly discovered that harpooning could be more lucrative than traditional fishing with his father.

Harpooning, even as similar in name to spear fishing, is a distinct method, according to Kumar. His ancestors used spears made of wood and other materials, but the harpoon was a novel tool. The practice requires significant skill and underwater stamina, waiting patiently for fish to come within range.

Dr. Shobha Joe Kizhakudan, head of the Finfish Fisheries Division at ICAR-CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute), acknowledges harpooning as a scientifically recognized sustainable fishing method. However, she notes a historical stigma associated with the practice due to its past use in hunting vulnerable species like whale sharks before a ban was implemented. “Once harpooned, the fish would be dragged alive, fighting for its life, until the shore,” she explained.

Kumar himself has evolved in his approach, consciously avoiding targeting larger fish that might survive an initial harpoon strike, deeming it inhumane. He recounted an incident with a tourist named Paul, who was documenting marine life. Kumar, impatient to demonstrate his skill, harpooned a Bluefin Trevally engaged in a mating ritual. Paul’s saddened reaction deeply affected him. “I felt awfully guilty. That feeling has stayed with me since,” Kumar said.

Robert Panippilla, founder of Friends of Marine Life (FML), a Thiruvananthapuram-based organization documenting marine biodiversity, has extensively documented Kumar’s harpooning technique. Panippilla emphasizes that harpooning is best suited for rocky habitats, making Kovalam an ideal location. He highlights the skill involved, noting the need for underwater stamina, maneuverability, and a deep understanding of marine environments and fish behavior.

Currently, approximately 25 fishers around Kovalam practice harpoon fishing, many having learned from Kumar. Most acquired harpoons from abroad, often brought by individuals returning from the Middle East. Kumar believes harpooning remains rare throughout India, likely limited to island regions.

The Southwest monsoon season, particularly in August, is the most productive time for harpoon fishing in the region, with Groupers being a primary target. Kumar has earned substantial income during peak seasons, with catches worth hundreds of thousands of rupees.