Prior to industrialized production of aquaculture and
fisheries, having fish on the dinner table was not quite as easy as a drive to
the local supermarket. Driving down to the most southern tip of the beautiful
island of Taiwan, we stopped at the boardwalk to soak in some sun and take in a
bit of the warm sea breeze.
Silently listening as the rolling waves washed ashore, I
enjoyed the soothing tranquility of the moment. That is, until I caught a
little old man geared up in a wet suit in the corner of my eye. Excitement took
over as I ran down the pebbly beach to get a closer look. This little old man
was not plunging himself in still frigid waters for an afternoon swim, he was
out to catch himself dinner.
I watched as he
slowly swam down the line checking the net he had laid out for fish. This is no
easy task amongst the rough waves. When he reached the shore again, I ran up to
see the catch of the day.
“Rough waters” he
said, “only a little one. Better luck tomorrow”.
There is
still beauty in the way things were done traditionally. Although not always
worth the effort when viewed from a modern day efficiency perspective, it kept the environment in balance by preventing over fishing. The old man disappeared quietly into the distance once again,
as he took with him his only catch of the day.
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