Subsistence fishing methods of Nicobari tribes using traditional knowledge

Abstract

Abstract Nicobarese are one of the six aboriginal tribes inhabiting Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They account for over 95% of the total tribal population in the islands and majority of them inhabit at Car Nicobar, which is the capital of Nicobar district and popularly called as Coconut Island. The Nicobari tribes are hunters and gatherers who use their indigenous knowledge for exploitation of marine fishery resources using locally available materials. The common fishing methods in vogue are tamatu (trap), thanam kak (spear with rope) chok / linreny kak (spear with rubber), kinyav (icthyotoxic seed), thakua kak (line), kel thakua kak (hand line), tamarotha thakua kak (long line), Hanak Inhal Kak (shore seine), Inruon thakua kak (troll line) and Inhal (gill net). The Nicobari tribes have inherited the skill for designing and operating these gears from their forefathers. This paper summarises the traditional knowledge existing and commonly practiced among the Nicobari tribes for exploitation of marine fish at Car Nicobar.