Cradle Fishing in Pakistan: A Traditional Angling Practice

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Cradle fishing, known locally as \“Jhoola Machhli Pakarna\“, is a unique traditional fishing method practiced in several regions of Pakistan, particularly in Sindh and Punjab provinces along the Indus River basin.

This ancient technique involves using a specially designed cradle-like net structure that is suspended from riverbanks or boats. Fishermen carefully lower these cradle nets into the water, waiting for fish to swim into the trap before gently lifting them out. The method requires immense patience and skill, passed down through generations of fishing communities.

In coastal areas like Karachi and Gwadar, cradle fishing takes on a different form where larger cradles are used from fishing boats to catch bigger marine species. The traditional knowledge associated with this practice includes understanding tidal patterns, fish behavior, and seasonal variations.

Many local communities consider cradle fishing more sustainable than modern fishing methods as it allows for selective harvesting and causes minimal damage to marine ecosystems. However, this traditional practice is gradually declining due to modernization and the introduction of more efficient fishing technologies.