MARGAO
Ranked Asia’s third beautiful beach, Benaulim on Wednesday played host to a group of school students from Mumbai, but for a different reason.
The visit of students of Shishuvan School, Mumbai had nothing to do with Benaulim’s picturesque beach and the silvery sands. For, the students with their teachers in tow specifically travelled all the way from Mumbai to Benaulim for the sole purpose of experiencing traditional fishing practiced by the fishermen inhabiting the Benaulim coast.
Take note, Benaulim-based traditional fisherman Pele did not disappoint the young minds as he not only explained the finer aspects of fishing with traditional gear, but conducted a live fishing demonstration by casting a rampon (traditional fishing gear) in the sea for the benefit of the Mumbai-based students.
He not only got the students involved in pushing the fishing boat equipped with rampon in the sea, and to later pull the fishing net, but explained in detail the equipment such as the fishing canoe, net, baskets et al required for traditional fishing. He also explained the variety of fish caught by the rampon, including Goa’s state fish Shevtto.
Both the students as well as teachers said it was a great learning experience for them since this was the first time they have seen fishermen casting their nets with the help of a motorized canoe to catch fish.
Teacher Sneha, who accompanied the students, told the media that the teachers too had a great fishing experience. “Even during our college days, we could not get the exposure to traditional fishing even though fishing was an applied component. We have seen variety of fish caught by the traditional fishing gear. It was indeed a great experience for all of us”, she said.
Students too enjoyed the fishing activity and went back home with a wonderful experience. “We have seen fisherman Pele and his team laying the net in the sea in a semi circle and how the team members lent a helping hand, trapping the fish in a circle. We could see how different varieties of fish were caught. This was indeed an exciting experience for us”, remarked a student.
Feeling honoured and privileged to play host to the Mumbai school students, Pele said he could showcase to the students how the traditional fishermen has protected the rich heritage handed down to them by their ancestors. In the past too, Pele said he had played host to college students, who had come for their project assignments on traditional fishing.
