Fisher families catch prosperity in the desert
Print Edition
Seven fishing families have traveled from the Yangtze, China’s longest river, deep into the Gobi Desert in search of a better living.
Seven boats and seven tents serve as their temporary homes along the shore of Ulungur Lake, known as “the sea in the Gobi,” in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The thinly populated region has been welcoming hardworking people to help drive local development.
“I have heard that it’s easier to dredge money here,” said Chen Guishan, 50.
Chen and his wife Zhao Youlan were born, married and fished along the Yangtze River in east China until nine years ago, when they joined the “desert fishermen team.” They hoped their paradoxical new job might bring them wealth.
Ulungur Lake in northern Xinjiang and Bosten Lake to the south are the region’s two major fishing bases. The lakes, about 1,000 kilometers apart, are two of the largest inland freshwater lakes in China and cover a total area of 1,600 square kilometers.
To increase their income, the seven families lead a nomadic life, just like local herders. They fish in Ulungur Lake in spring and summer, and then migrate to the warmer Bosten Lake when autumn comes.
Their work in Ulungur begins after an annual fishing moratorium ends. Chen’s family starts work at 6am, when Chen and his 25-year-old son, Chen Zhaozhu, leave their tent, put on waterproof pants and life vests, and set sail.
In the dawn light, they spot other boats sliding through the water. Chen keeps sailing toward the center of the lake. All the way they hear nothing but motors vibrating rhythmically.
The boat arrives at the fishing area in about half an hour. Father and son drop anchor and cast their net. When the net is hauled out of the water, the father selects fish large enough to be put into the hold, and throws juveniles back into the water.
“We must be sustainable. We must set the juvenile fish free to let them grow, so we must pick them out one by one,” the older fisherman said.
Two nets make a full load. On less favorable days, they have to cast at least eight nets to fill the boat, Chen said.
For the fishermen, selling is as important as fishing.
When they arrive at market, many others are already there. Eager to sell their fish, Chen puts their catch straight on a trader’s scale. He is reassured only when the trader nods to take his offer.
The fresh fish will soon be served on tables in Urumqi, Xinjiang’s capital, as well as cities nationwide, thanks to China’s fast-growing logistics services.
Ulungur boasts clear water and abundant fish, said Zhao Jingsong, head of the local fishery administration, and it has long been a tradition for locals to fish in Ulungur.
“The lake brings us wealth, so we must protect the environment here,” Zhao said. “We follow strict fishing restrictions and regulations to protect the natural resources.”
The father and son go home content with the 1,600 yuan (US$243) they have earned.
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