Sea harvest

In a way, this is like the picture of fruits I posted a few days ago. And in a way, these are also 'off-season' right now, because of the 61-day fishing ban from 15 April to 14 June. The idea is to keep the industrial fishing boats away and allow the fish stock to be replenished. I'm not sure how this is actually enforced, because I can't imagine how the fisherfolk will manage without any source of income for two months. The government subsidy - or subsistence allowance - may not be adequate. 

Prices have consequently shot up; fresh catch is up by about 40%. Maybe you'll be better off by temporarily changing your diet from fish to fruit. But do keep in mind that if you were French, you would actually call these fruits de mer!

Market spot

They say India is a land of contradictions, and this picture kind of captures it. It is the entrance to a market in Saidapet. The sign says the market, or at least the land it is on, belongs to the Devasthanam of the Karaneeswarar Temple nearby. 

It is quite possible that in a particular manifestation, Mahadeva might have liked some fish, but I haven't quite heard of the deity of Saidapet being fond of it. So that could not have been the reason for this market to be entirely given over to fishes - there must be some better explanation there, one that clears the seeming (to me, at least) contradiction!

Fisherman

Here's another from the Pulicat Lake. He's standing close to the shore, and the net is attached to a cord that has been fastened at his wrist. The pouch tied to his belt serves to store the fish he catches. As you can figure out, he's not hoping to bag any big ones!

Water clubs

There they are, some visitors to the Royal Madras Yacht Club, getting into the boats for a spin around the harbour. The club itself operates out of the building in the background. 

If you visit the RMYC and get into the first floor of that building, you are bound to see a bunch of fishing rods and other angling gear stored there. That's because the Anglers' Club, India uses the building as their base!

Admirable fish

That's a regular Sunday morning scene near the Chintadripet fish market. The market itself gets extremely crowded; if you are not keen on jostling the crowds, but still like your bit of fish, there are enough retailers outside. Of course, there is a price to pay for the 'convenience' of avoiding the crowd and there are many who are willing to pay that price.

This fish is the vanjram, the king mackeral (Scomberomorus guttatus). Also known as neimeen or seer fish, this is one of the (if not actually the) most popular table fish across the south Indian states and Sri Lanka. 

Is there a fish on your lunch table today?

Late fishers

The fishermen on the Marina Beach usually set out to see even before the dawn has cracked. At some unearthly hour, when most of the city sleeps, these fisherfolk push their crafts out, riding the waves before starting their outboards and veering away to their favourite fishing spots. By the time the early walkers have finished their constitutional, the boats are back, bringing in their 3-hour worth of catch which one can buy fresh off the boat.

It was already seven o'clock and this boat was just getting ready to cast off. That too, after a short puja. Turns out these people had, for some reason, not been able to go to work for over a week and it was their first day out after that break. Hence the puja and all that. 

By the time they get back, it will be just in time to get your choice straight from the fishing boat into the frying pan!