Fort Kochi: The influx of water hyacinths from nearby lakes has brought Chinese fishing net operations in Fort Kochi to a standstill, leaving local fishermen struggling.
Fishing with Chinese nets typically takes place from 4 am to 8 am, and sometimes during night hours. However, thick sheets of water hyacinths drifting into the area have forced operations to halt. These invasive plants are not only blocking access but also damaging the poles of the nets, striking them with the waves and tearing the mesh.

For the past few days, fishermen have been unable to operate their nets due to the menace posed by these plants. They also report that water hyacinths are disrupting fish breeding and hindering their natural movement.

A single Chinese fishing net requires four to eight workers to operate. Each worker earns a daily wage of ₹350, in addition to other expenses. To make a living, the daily catch must generate between ₹2,000 and ₹4,000. For net owners, however, daily income needs to exceed ₹4,000 to earn a reasonable share.

The availability of fish from the lake, which are in high demand during the rainy season, has been scarce this year. Swaraj, a net owner, said there were even days when daily income from fishing dropped below ₹1,000.