Cormorant Fishing


Cormorant fishing, or ukai (鵜飼), is a traditional 1,300-year-old fishing method in Japan that involves using trained cormorant birds to catch fish, typically on rivers, most famously on the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture. The fisherman, known as the ukai-shi, uses a long bamboo pole and a small boat (ubune) to guide the cormorants on the river. Cormorants (Phalacrocorax capillatus) diet consist mostly of fish, and they are masters in fishing – they wait for their prey on sea shores or by the side of rivers, and at the right moment dive underwater, propelling themselves with their wings and feet, and catch up to 6 fish per dive with their specially designed beaks. The birds are trained to dive into the water and catch fish, primarily sweetfish (ayu). To prevent the birds from swallowing the fish, they wear a noose around their necks, which the fisherman can control to retrieve the fish. This method of night fishing from May till October, is a cultural heritage that attracts tourists.

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