Fish

Shore fishing for Bronze Whaler Shark

Bronze Whaler Sharks (Carcharhinus brachyurus), also known as Copper Sharks, are a sought-after game fish for recreational anglers in many parts of the world. They are known for their impressive strength and fighting abilities, which pose a challenge for anglers….

Semi-Dried Fish in Thailand

In Thailand, both sea and freshwater fish are dried to increase their shelf life for later consumption by humans. Before the advent of refrigeration, the primary method for preventing spoilage was to salt the fish and then leave it in…

Mechanically propelled spears for freshwater fishing

Mechanically propelled spears for freshwater fishing are common in Central- and Northern parts of Thailand. Due to the fact that many people are crafting these devices themselves, there is a wide variety of principles, styles, and designs. Besides of homemade…

Traditional fishing at Inle lake in Myanmar

Traditional fishing at Inle lake is endemic and very specific for this local environment. Inle lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar with a size of approximately 50 square miles (abt. 116 km2). During the dry season, the average…

Pla Ra – Thailand’s fermented fish condiment

Pla Ra (Thai: ปลาร้า, pronounced [plāː ráː]), is fermented fish. It is the traditional way, Thais in central provinces and in the North-East (Isan province) are eating fish and rice. In these rather poor provinces, there is only one rice…

Fish ripping in Hanoi, Vietnam

A very common fishing technique in whole Vietnam is ripping a weighted hook with multiple side arms through still water and hope to hook unsuspecting fish somewhere on their body. Hooking a fish at the lips with the correct size…

Fish trapping at a fast-flowing brook in Vietnam

Trapping fish in bamboo traps in Southeast Asia is normally a static affair. These fishing traps will be used in still waters with or without bait inside and checked at least once daily. It was a new experience, to see…

Spit roasted mid-sized fish in Thailand

Fish longer than about 20 cm and not having a snake-like shape, are typically spit roasted in Thailand. As seen in the photos below, these are mainly Pla Dabian (Barbonymus gonionotus), Pla Chon (Channa striata) and Pla Sawai (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)…

Grill spit for small fish

Grill spit for small fish outdoor cooking on a spit Smaller fish of up to about 20 cm length are typically put on to a grill spit, which is just a split stick. Often in Thailand this will be Pla…

Catching and holding live eels

The Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus), called Pla Lai in Thailand, is both used as a food source but also for offerings to the spirits. When still slim and young, eels are sold to the Buddhist local population for doing…

Mudskippers for food

In Thailand live a variety of mudskipper species, notably Giant mudskippers (Periophthalmodon schlosseri), Blue-spotted mudskippers (Boleophthalmus boddarti), and others. All of them are amphibious fish, which live on muddy estuary- and tidal brackish river zones all around Asia-Pacific. They live…