Cast net fishing is a fascinating artisanal technique that combines skill, patience, and a deep understanding of the aquatic environment. In this article, we'll explore this fishing modality, its historical origins, and how it manifests itself in Brazil, where it continues to be a vital practice for coastal and riverside communities.
What is Cast Net Fishing?
A cast net, also known as a cast net, is a circular fishing net equipped with small weights (leads) distributed around its circumference, weighing on average 1.5 kg per meter. This net is thrown manually by the fisherman, opening completely in mid-air before falling into the water and sinking quickly due to the weights. The goal is to capture fish or crustaceans within the diameter of the net, which can vary from 1.2 to 3.6 meters in radius. After casting, the fisherman pulls a central rope, reducing the diameter of the net and concentrating the catch in a bag called a "sac," making it easier to remove from the water.
This technique requires precision and physical strength, especially when the net is full of fish. It is most effective in shallow waters, shallower than the cast net's radius, and can be performed from piers, riverbanks, or seashores, small boats, or any suitable casting location. However, challenges such as snagging on underwater obstacles (such as branches or rocks) can complicate the operation, requiring the fisherman to enter the water to unroll the net. The cast net is a simple yet versatile tool, adapted to different targets, such as fish or shrimp, with mesh sizes that vary in size and thickness.
The Origins of Cast Net Fishing
Cast net fishing is an ancient practice with roots dating back thousands of years and undergoing numerous modifications throughout history. Its origins are global, but in the Brazilian context, it has been influenced by multiple cultures. Before the arrival of Europeans, indigenous peoples already practiced artisanal fishing, including the use of nets made from natural fibers such as tucum, a local plant. This indigenous tradition blended with techniques brought by colonizers.
In Brazil, the modern cast net has strong ties to Azorean immigrants, who arrived around 1750, bringing with them knowledge of nets used for cod fishing in the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago. These immigrants adapted the technique to local waters, sharing knowledge with the Carijó indigenous people, resulting in a cultural blending that shaped Brazilian artisanal fishing. Over time, the practice spread throughout the coast and inland rivers, becoming an integral part of the identity of fishing communities.
Historical studies highlight that, in the 19th and 20th centuries, the cast net was operated alone in shallow coastal waters, avoiding obstacles such as rocks, and illustrated in publications such as the Revista Brasileira de Geografia in the 1950s and 1970s. This evolution reflects not only technical advances, but also the cultural resilience of people who depend on the sea and rivers for their survival.
Cast Net Fishing in Brazil: Practice, Regions, and Cultural Significance
In Brazil, cast net fishing is predominantly artisanal, a socioeconomic activity that generates income, employs family labor, and provides a staple food source. It is practiced year-round in various regions, with modern adaptations such as the use of nylon instead of plant fibers and motorized boats, integrating it into commercial production circuits. In the Northeast, such as Ceará and Pernambuco, it is common in reservoirs and coastal waters, where fishermen cast in shallow areas. In the South, especially in Florianópolis (Santa Catarina), the artisanal production of cast nets is an art kept alive by elderly people like Luiz Amaro dos Santos (Ereno), who use nylon, needles, and lead to create custom nets, taking up to two months to complete a complete piece.
One of the most unique manifestations occurs in Laguna (SC) and in Barra do Rio Tramandaí (RS), where fishermen cooperate with gray dolphins (Tursiops gephyreus). Dolphins guide schools of mullet toward shore, signaling with nods the ideal moment to cast the net. This sustainable partnership benefits both: the dolphins feed on disoriented fish, while the fishermen increase their catch. This practice, historically observed in other areas such as Araranguá (SC) and Lagoa dos Patos (RS), fosters affectionate bonds, with dolphins receiving names like Geraldona and Chiquinho.
Despite its importance, cast net fishing faces challenges in contemporary Brazil. A loss of interest among young people, influenced by the market's preference for imported fish like salmon, and environmental problems like water contamination and habitat loss threaten the tradition. Initiatives like the Barra Dolphins Project at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) seek to preserve this heritage, with 2016 zoning laws helping to preserve dolphin populations. Furthermore, cast nets contribute more than 40% to the country's extractive fishing production, concentrated in the North and Northeast.
Source: Pescairada.com