Ngatule

Ngatule is a traditional fishing net used by the people of the Solomon Islands, particularly in the Malaita Province. It is a type of seine net, designed to be operated by two or more people. The net is typically made from natural fibers, such as coconut coir or pandanus leaf fiber, woven by hand. It has a long, rectangular shape, with floats along the top edge to keep it buoyant and weights along the bottom edge to keep it submerged.

The method of using a ngatule involves a group of fishermen wading into shallow coastal waters or lagoons. They spread the net out in a semicircle, with two people at each end. The fishermen then move forward, pulling the net through the water, encircling schools of fish. Once the fish are trapped within the net, the fishermen draw the ends together, bringing the net ashore to collect their catch. This communal fishing technique highlights the importance of cooperation and shared resources in traditional island communities. The ngatule is a testament to the ingenuity and sustainability of indigenous fishing practices, adapted to the specific marine environment and cultural context of the Solomon Islands.