The fishing is one of the most important ways of sustenance of daily life for the Yap Islanders.The fishing in shallow waters of the lagoon differs from that on the open sea.The latter is not only purely economic pursuit but also has its social and religious meanings.
The fishing on the open sea is done as one of the village affairs and taboos are observed by the whole members, who are obliged to live together in
falu (club house) during this season. The fishing is leaded by
pilung ko fita (chief of the fishing) who is a village official and the same time a skilful expert and magician of the fishing.His standing and privilage are succeeded by the paternal elder member of the
pilung ko fita's family.The typical fishing methods are 1.
magal and-2.
athing.
1.
magal fishing-This continues one or two months during the southwest-wind season.Fifteen fishermen get into a canoe at night, two of them having torches, others having
tseu (large hand net) and scooping the fish which come under the light of the torch (fig.1, and 2.)
2.
athing fishing-About thirty-two fishermen get into two canoes.This fishing is done by a
nug (very long drag-net, 2m.wide and 40m.long) which is stretched between the canoes.The fishermen spread the
nug in a large semicircle, and enclose the fish in a circle and catch them.
For the fishing in lagoon, following four kinds of implements are used:
1.Fish net: (a)
nug (drag-net) little one used in the lagoon, (b) scoop net.There are three types:
tseu (hand net) little one used in the lagoon,
kef (scoop net) and
magago (sledge form scoop net).2.Fish hook: (a) tortoise-shell hook, (b) hook which is composed of tortoise-shell and other shells, (c)
gaparpar, consisting of two little straight wooden hooks.3.Creel and fishing-bulwarks.4.Fishing speer.5.Carb trap.
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