The fishing season in Mumbai is primarily from August to May, with a significant break during the monsoon months of June and July for both safety and sustainability reasons. The Koli fishermen and other fishing communities adhere to these seasonal cycles and regulations to ensure the continued health and productivity of their fishing grounds.
Larger fishing vessels (seen in the backdrop) often use industrial methods to catch fish. The boats, called trawlers, drag large nets known as trawls behind them. There are bottom trawls for fish near the seabed and midwater trawls for fish in the middle of the water column. Trawlers capture large quantities of fish, including shrimp, mackerel, and anchovies.
The ebb and flow of tides, along with the changing seasons when certain types of fish are available, dictate the catch. Most fishermen use vertical nets, called gill nets, that trap fish by their gills. After laying the nets, the boats wait for four to five hours before hauling them back on board.