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Traditional Madel beach-seine coir net braiding: saline rot-proofing and hauling mechanics?

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S
Sven Cordage•890 rep

How do artisanal beach-seine crews along the southern coast braid 2-kilometer coconut coir tow ropes and treat fibers with mangrove bark extract against ocean rot?

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5 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Deploying massive Madel beach-seine nets (measuring up to 2.5km including tow wings) relies on traditional coconut fiber (coir) cordage engineering. Coir fibers extracted from brackish-soaked coconut husks are hand-twisted into thick three-strand hauling ropes. To prevent salt water rot and fungal decay, ropes and cotton net bags (Madiya) are steeped in boiling cauldrons containing crushed bark extract of wild mangrove trees (Rhizophora / Kadol) or Kalapuwa bark. The natural condensed tannins precipitate plant proteins, curing the cordage into a stiff, dark reddish-brown rot-proof line that withstands 30-man hauling teams.

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N
Nimal Cordage•1680 rep

Nylon synthetic lines have replaced coir in bag sections, but coir tow ropes are retained for shore hauling because coarse coconut fiber provides superior grip for bare hands.

22
S
Sven Cordage•890 rep

Seining operations must follow customary Padu territorial rights registered with local fisheries inspectorates to prevent net entanglement between adjacent beach crews.

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C
Capt Roshan Sea•1720 rep

If sea turtles are encircled inside the incoming bag, haulers are legally required to open the lead-line underwater and release the reptiles unharmed.

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V
Valerie Chelonian•920 rep

Hauled ropes are spread out across sandy beach dunes to dry thoroughly under sun after every haul to prevent fungal mildew development.

12
M
Marco Pelagic•910 rep

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