How Bangladeshis Use Otters to Harness Their Catch The Furry Friends of the Fishing Industry
If you wander down a riverbank in southwest Bangladesh, you might happen upon a squealing, squeaking crate of river otters. The otters aren’t in danger. In fact, they’re the pampered helpers of the region’s fishermen and women, who’ve trained them to herd fish. Yes, that’s right — just as we use herding dogs to corral sheep and cows into pens, people who fish in Bangladesh use otters to drive fish, crabs, and prawns into their nets. The practice dates back hundreds of years — and it’s impressive to watch.
According to the publication Roads & Kingdoms, Bangladeshi fishers can catch more than 20 pounds of fish per excursion thanks to their otter helpers. Locals breed otters specifically for this purpose, raising them just like Westerners raise dogs and cats. This otter-human partnership is an important part of Bangladeshi culture. The fish the otters bring in sustain their owners through lean times and help them survive periods of famine. However, according to the BBC, the tradition is slowly fading away. Rivers in the region are drying up, pollution is surging, native fish are disappearing, and families are getting out of the otter business. One third-generation fisherman told Roads & Kingdoms that as of 2015, only 12 families in Gopra Village, where he lives, continue to fish with otters. That’s a tiny fraction of the 100 families that fished when his father ran their family business. However, he told the reporter he “will continue to work with otters as long as there are fish to catch.” To learn more about this fascinating human-animal partnership and see a video of the otters in action, head to YouTube and search “Bangladesh otter fishing.”
First, in the dead of night, the Bangladeshi anglers load crates of otters onto their boats and head out to fish. Each otter wears a small rope harness and leash attached to a wooden pole. As soon as the boat reaches the fishing area, the fishermen release the otters. They dive into the water and paddle furiously after schools of fish, encouraging them to swim into their owners’ nets.
SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE 3 TIPS FOR DOWNHILL HAULING
DON’T TAILGATE. You want to leave as much room as
Driving down a mountain can be challenging for all drivers — especially for big trucks. Whether you’re a first-time driver or a seasoned professional, here are a few strategies to remember when downhill hauling. KEEP YOUR TRUCK SLOW AND STEADY. We’ve all heard the phrase, “slow and steady wins the race.” This phrase perfectly describes what you should do when
properly. While it may be a few extra steps, if it avoids just one incident over a driving career, it is worth it! Everything must run smoothly to ensure the safety of others around you and your own because you know where the blame will go if something goes wrong. As long as you take your time down the hill, pay attention to your surroundings, and listen to your truck, downhill hauling should be a breeze. However, if you find yourself with a citation during your journey, allow Bigger & Harman to assist you. We will be happy to take the ticket off your hands and go to court on your behalf so you can focus on driving. Is there any safety tip we missed? We love feedback! Send to Mark Bigger at mark@biggerharmanlaw.com.
possible between you and the vehicles in front of you. You never want to tailgate on a grade because you don’t know if a driver will suddenly brake or traffic will back up. If you have to hit your brakes, leaving enough room ensures you can safely stop — even if your trailer begins to walk sideways. TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES. Before hitting the road, it’s best to check that your air compressor has a full reservoir, no air leaks, the airlines are secure, and the tires are not hot or showing excessive wear. These steps will ensure your truck is road- ready and everything is in order. It may also be helpful to check your brakes, tires, and engine after descending a hill to ensure everything is working
driving downhill. It’s difficult for drivers to determine the grade of a hill, and if you’re not careful, you can lose control of your
truck. Look for grade signs on the road that say how
steep a hill is. This will give you an idea of the speed you should maintain while driving even if the speed limit remains the same.
2 | www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator