Fisherfolk in Phunphin Bay, Surat Thani, use age-old local wisdom to build a unique fish trap that uses neither plastic nor metal in its construction.
To create the eco-friendly lam, or "fish house", the villagers collect twigs and leaves and dump them in the sea not far from shore to lure fish looking for shelter. Three days later, the villagers return to the spot and start erecting a bamboo fence around the lam. The best time to put up the fence is during low tide when it is easier to wade through the shallow water. With the circular barrier in place, fisherfolk then slowly remove the twigs and leaves, prompting the fish to jump and writhe as their new home is dismantled.
At the same time, the villagers begin pushing in the walls of the bamboo fence, tightening the jaws of the trap. Last but not least, the fishermen cast a net over the trapped fish, before transferring their catch to a boat. Only the larger mature fish are kept; smaller specimens are thrown back into the sea to replenish stocks. The traditional method plays a key role in the livelihoods of people in Ban Huay Sap of tambon Lee Ded, where artisanal fishing has fed and sustained the local communities for generations.
The bamboo trap closes in on the home of fishes, enabling fishermen to scoop them out as they attempt to escape.
top to bottom The trap forms a collapsible bamboo fence which can be expanded or narrowed around the fish lured into it by means of the 'lam', which is a pretend 'fish house'.
top to bottom The trap forms a collapsible bamboo fence which can be expanded or narrowed around the fish lured into it by means of the 'lam', which is a pretend 'fish house'.
top to bottom The trap forms a collapsible bamboo fence which can be expanded or narrowed around the fish lured into it by means of the 'lam', which is a pretend 'fish house'.
