• Latest
A Fishy Discovery!

A Fishy Discovery!

January 26, 2023

INKATERRA LA CASONA WINS THE ‘ANDREW HARPER EDITOR’S CHOICE’ AWARD

March 31, 2023
Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

March 3, 2023
Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

March 3, 2023
DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

DY Patil University Centre of Excellence Opens in Navi Mumbai

March 3, 2023
A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

A Walk Down Cobblers’ Street

March 3, 2023
The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

The Colombo Cultural Show: A Soiree into Sri Lanka’s Heart

February 7, 2023
Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

Kandy Central Market: The epitome of local ambiance

February 7, 2023
The Art of Local Writing

The Art of Local Writing

February 7, 2023
Carnival Magic

Carnival Magic

February 7, 2023
Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

Ponniyin Selvan 1: Leveraging the Lure of History and the Power of Storytelling

January 11, 2023
Rumination and Emotional Process

Rumination and Emotional Process

January 13, 2023
Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

Segar Represents Sri Lanka in Asia Art Bienniale in Dhaka

January 11, 2023
Retail
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Subscription
Advertise
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
        • January 2010
        • February 2010
        • March 2010
        • April 2010
        • May 2010
        • June 2010
        • July 2010
        • August 2010
        • September 2010
        • October 2010
        • November 2010
        • December 2010
      • 2011
        • January 2011
        • February 2011
        • March 2011
        • April 2011
        • May 2011
        • June 2011
        • July 2011
        • August 2011
        • September 2011
        • October 2011
        • November 2011
        • December 2011
      • 2012
        • January 2012
        • February 2012
        • March 2012
        • April 2012
        • May 2012
        • June 2012
        • July 2012
        • August 2012
        • September 2012
        • October 2012
        • November 2012
        • December 2012
      • 2013
        • January 2013
        • February 2013
        • March 2013
        • April 2013
        • May 2013
        • June 2013
        • July 2013
        • August 2013
        • September 2013
        • October 2013
        • November 2013
        • December 2013
      • 2014
        • January 2014
        • February 2014
        • March 2014
        • April 2014
        • May 2014
        • June 2014
        • July 2014
        • August 2014
        • September 2014
        • October 2014
        • November 2014
        • December 2014
      • 2015
        • January 2015
        • February 2015
        • March 2015
        • April 2015
        • May 2015
        • June 2015
        • July 2015
        • August 2015
        • September 2015
        • October 2015
        • November 2015
        • December 2015
      • 2016
        • January 2016
        • February 2016
        • March 2016
        • April 2016
        • May 2016
        • June 2016
        • July 2016
        • August 2016
        • September 2016
        • October 2016
        • November 2016
        • December 2016
      • 2017
        • January 2017
        • February 2017
        • March 2017
        • April 2017
        • May 2017
        • June 2017
        • July 2017
        • August 2017
        • September 2017
        • October 2017
        • November 2017
        • December 2017
      • 2018
        • January 2018
        • February 2018
        • March 2018
        • April 2018
        • May 2018
        • June 2018
        • July 2018
        • August 2018
        • November 2018
        • December 2018
      • 2019
        • January 2019
        • February 2019
        • March 2019
        • April 2019
        • May 2019
        • June 2019
        • July 2019
        • August 2019
        • September 2019
        • October 2019
        • November 2019
        • December 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
        • January 2020
        • February 2020
        • March 2020
        • September 2020
        • October 2020
        • November 2020
        • December 2020
      • 2021
        • January 2021
        • February 2021
        • March 2021
        • April 2021
        • May 2021
        • June 2021
        • July 2021
        • August 2021
        • September 2021
        • October 2021
        • November 2021
        • December 2021
      • 2022
        • January 2022
        • February 2022
        • March 2022
        • April 2022
        • May 2022
        • June 2022
        • July 2022
        • August 2022
        • September 2022
        • October 2022
        • November 2022
        • December 2022
      • 2023
        • January 2023
        • February 2023
        • March 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

A Fishy Discovery!

in General, January 2012
0 0
0
A fresh catch

If someone asked me to name the varieties of fish in Sri Lanka, I probably would have said Seer, Mullet, Tuna, Sardine and thrown in a few other fancy names like Snapper and Garoupa. Little did I know that the world of fish in the Sri Lankan marine waters was one yet to be discovered!

Words Amali Peiris and Achini Athukorala  Photographs Prabath Chathuranga

Our early morning start took us to Wennappuwa, a town in close proximity to Negombo. We were guided on to Beach Road, a road parallel to the Western coast. Lined with small houses belonging to the local fishermen community, on either side of the road stalls were set up selling the freshest fish possible – only a few hours if not minutes out of the Indian Ocean.

On first glance we could see the variety. Different shapes, sizes and colours, translucent and at times still breathing. The most eye-catching and fascinating discovery for us was of the ‘Kalinga’, belonging to the Swordfish family. With its long pointy nose and blue tinge it was one of the most intriguing and curious looking fish we came across. Its freshness could be seen with the three blue dots appearing on its tail. The Sawalaya or Ribbon Fish was also a common sight. With its long silver body, looking more like an eel, the Ribbon Fish were present in abundance. As the community went about their daily routine of selling the fresh catch, the excitement of discovering so many new creatures, noting down their names and trying to identify them for ourselves,we blended in quite well with the hustle of activity down Beach Road.

As we moved along from one stall to the other so many names were thrown at us. Kobeiyya, Ranna (Snapper), Nagariya, Pituwa, Siriththa and even Kukula (direct translation meaning chicken!). This colourful assortment of fish was comprised of some that were caught in the reef only a few hours earlier. Their colours were so vibrant and eye-catching, from the deep sea green Parrotfish, known as the Girawa, with a turquoise tail resembling the feathers of a peacock,

to the small Boraluwa (Sri Lankan Sweetlips) with a yellow outline and prominent black stripes. Most of the names were those the local community had come up with to identify one fish from the other. The Kukula or Blue Ring Angelfish seemed almost out of place with its companions, having the appearance of an aquatic fish with its large flat body covered in yellow and prominent blue stripes. A not so pleasant sight was the Kaakka, a black fish with greyish spots all over its body, a close resemblance to its feathery namesake, the crow.

Cuttlefish or Squid have several varieties. The Zebra Striped Squid was bigger than its common cousin, with a prominent brown body and white stripes.

Then there was the giant Tuna! My experience with Tuna prior to this day has only been of the canned kind. Huge Yellow Fin and Skip Jack Tuna were lined side by side, with their pointy fins and fleshy bellies, larger than I ever imagined they would be! Lying nearby was the belly of a Milk Shark. Unfortunately we were not able to see the entire shark as parts of it had already been sold to eager customers. We also stumbled upon a basket of small Sting Rays, known as Maduwa. With their flowing bodice and long tail,one cannot help but imagine its smooth journey, slithering across the deep blue ocean.

The rarer species which were among the day’s catch were the Patha Madiya – a curious looking brown creature with eyes on top of its body and no tail, Meewatti (Mullet), Kossa (Garoupa), Raddhalla – a radiant bright red fish, the only catch for the day of its kind and the more popular Angilau (Seer) and Paraw – commonly known as Jack or Trevallies. We were also able to see some Angulawa or Cat Fish piled up in a basket of their own. Only a few fish appeared in stalls, owing to the colder weather conditions the locals were experiencing. We were told that a drop in temperature tend to send fish away from the shore,reducing the days haul.

As we continued down Beach Road we met a few locals carefully untangling prawns and small fish from fishing nets. The nets are usually spread out closer to shore and drawn in every few hours.Small white prawns or Butter White Prawns were a more common sight in comparison to the Giant Tiger Prawns with their brown stripes, and more difficult to harvest, hence, a rare sight. The more common fish were of course the Wella Sudhayas (White Sardine), Kumbalawas (Jack Mackerel), Hurullas (Sardine) and Bollus (Indian Mackerel). We could see huge piles and baskets full of these varieties in almost every stall, an easy catch with the fishing nets.

Cuttlefish or Squid have several varieties. The Zebra Striped Squid was bigger than its common cousin, with a prominent brown body and white stripes. Bound tightly with strings yet ready to escape was a large Mud Crab. About twice the size of the common crab, the Mud Crab had a deep green shell with orange tipped claws. There were only two Mud Crabs, another result of the unusually low temperature.

The rarer species which were among the day’s catch were the Patha Madiya – a curious looking brown creature with eyes on top of its body and no tail, Meewatti (Mullet), Kossa (Garoupa), Raddhalla – a radiant bright red fish, the only catch for the day of its kind…

On our return trip down the Beach Road, we could see that most of the fish had already been sold. As prices were bargained and people filled fresh fish into the boxes on their bikes, large shopping bags or baskets, the nets were being drawn on shore. Another bountiful batch of Sardines, Mackerels, Prawns, and the few odd fish trapped here and there will soon be visible along this narrow road.Had the weather been warmer I wonder what other creatures we would have stumbled upon. So much to be uncovered on this small Island and in the immense ocean that surrounds it, our fishy discovery being only a tiny part.

[nggallery id=213]

TweetShareShare
Please login to join discussion

Search

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

INKATERRA LA CASONA WINS THE ‘ANDREW HARPER EDITOR’S CHOICE’ AWARD

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Investec Cape Town Art Fair

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Explore Sri Lanka

Explore Sri Lanka Online, the web edition of Sri Lanka’s leading monthly corporate publication. Founded in 1996, the magazine currently has a distribution of over 6,000 copies island-wide.

Recent News

  • INKATERRA LA CASONA WINS THE ‘ANDREW HARPER EDITOR’S CHOICE’ AWARD
  • Investec Cape Town Art Fair
  • Discipline and Precepts are Favorable for Self-Development

Find Us

Explore Sri Lanka
20-2/1 Lauries Place Facing
R. A. De Mel Mawatha
Colombo 04
Sri Lanka.
(+94 11) 259 7991
(+94) 715 134 134
info@btoptions.com
btoptions.com

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Issues
    • 201_
      • 2010
      • 2011
      • 2012
      • 2013
      • 2014
      • 2015
      • 2016
      • 2017
      • 2018
      • 2019
    • 202_
      • 2020
      • 2021
      • 2022
      • 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Archive
  • Find Us on Magzter

© 2022 Explore Sri Lanka | Designed by Lithic Labs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In