Flags are floated on the surface as visual markers to indicate the location of the submerged net. Fishermen typically cast three to four nets within close range of the boat.
The waters off the coast of Mumbai, located in the Arabian Sea, are rich in marine biodiversity and support a diverse range of fish species. Some of the various types of fish commonly caught in these waters include the Kingfish, also known as surmai, mackerel (bangda), pomfret (paplet), Bombay duck (bombil), sardines (tarli), red snapper (rane), cuttlefish (kanphoda), and prawns (jhinga). Exotic species, like sharks, tuna, lobsters, squids, and oysters, are also sold at the markets.
Koli fishermen venture to sea when it is still dark, usually around 5 am, taking advantage of the high tide and reaching their netting points before sunrise. The tide plays a crucial role as fewer fish are caught during low tide, while high tide brings an abundant catch.
A Koli man makes his way to a Ganapati shrine, walking over a causeway that is accessible only during low tide. During high tide, the shrine goes underwater, and its location is marked only by the flags sticking out from the surface.
Fishing boats must be registered with the relevant maritime authorities, such as the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) or the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD). Additionally, boat owners and operators may need to obtain licenses or permits to operate their vessels legally. These licenses may include fishing permits, vessel registration certificates, and crew licenses.
Along with the target fish, the nets also end up with bycatch. Jellyfish are a common bycatch and are removed from the nets immediately because they have a poisonous sting.
On the open sea, fishermen are guided by LED lights placed on buoys that indicate the presence of a net. The lights also serve to designate areas where nets have already been deployed so that others do not place nets in the vicinity.
In the open sea, Kolis deploy surrounding nets (used to encircle a school of fish near the water surface) and drift nets (usually set at or near the water surface and held in place by floats along the top edge and weights along the bottom edge).
Net repair is done entirely manually, using simple tools like tasari and kathli. Tasari is a mending needle made of plastic, usually six inches long, around which the twine is wrapped. Kathli is a small knife used to cut the twine.
After waiting a few hours, depending on the weather and other factors, the nets are hauled, and boats return by noon. Larger trawlers, which have bigger nets, remain at sea for several days and leave their nets in the sea overnight.