Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing technique in which fishermen use trained cormorants to catch fish in rivers. Historically, cormorant fishing has taken place in China and Japan, [1] as well as …

Nov 2, 2025 · Initially, cormorant fishing was a vital source of food and income for fishing communities. However, as fishing technologies advanced, cormorant fishing gradually transitioned from a …

Ukai is a traditional fishing method which uses trained cormorants to catch river fish such as sweetfish (ayu). This type of fishing has been around for over 1300 years, most prominently along the …

Cormorant fishing, or ukai in Japan, dates back to the 8th century, rooted in Chinese and Japanese history as a vital practice for riverside communities. Thriving in fish-rich waters, it provided a practical …

Sep 3, 2025 · Cormorant fishing is an ancient practice that showcases the unique relationship between humans and animals in traditional ways of life. Practised for over a thousand years in East Asia, this …

Nov 21, 2023 · Ukai, or cormorant fishing in Japan, is a mesmerizing 1,300-year-old tradition where fishermen and trained cormorants work in unison. Most prominent on the Nagara River, this ancient …

Jun 26, 2025 · The term “ukai” is derived from the Japanese words for cormorant (“ u ”) and “catching” (“ kai ”). This fishing technique uses trained birds to capture freshwater fish, dutifully delivering their …

Sometimes known as "duck fishing," it was attested as a method used by the ancient Japanese in the Book of Sui, the official history of the Sui dynasty of China, completed in 636 CE. Though cormorant …

Discover the ancient art of cormorant fishing, where fishermen train birds to dive for fish. This centuries-old practice from China and Japan is both a tradition and a living cultural heritage.

Dec 27, 2023 · I photographed Double-crested Cormorant fishing at Charleston Lake in Arkansas, capturing the bird surfacing with a freshly caught fish.