Cormorant fishing is a traditional life style for the fishermen of the Li River. This art is still practiced today among the few fishermen who still dwell on the Li and earn their living from fishing.
The cormorants are trained to dive into the river among the school of fish that live in the clear water. After catching a fish the birds return to the boat where the fisherman removes the fish from the bird. The bird is prevented from swallowing the fish by a ring that is placed around the neck of the bird. The bird is rewarded for its work by its owner. A bamboo raft used by the cormorant fisherman is made by tying bamboo poles together. It is also the most economical means of transportation for the fisherman. The light of the lantern attracts the fish.

Lantern

Lantern

First Light

First Light

Li River Fisherman

Li River Fisherman

Fisherman at dawn on bamboo raft

Fisherman at dawn on bamboo raft

Dawn`s early light

Dawn`s early light

Fisherman at dawn

Fisherman at dawn

‘Huangbu Shoal’

‘Huangbu Shoal’

Fisherman at dawn and cormorants

Fisherman at dawn and cormorants

Fishermen with cormorants

Fishermen with cormorants

Fisherman

Fisherman

Li River Fisherman

Li River Fisherman

Dawn reflections

Dawn reflections

Red dawn

Red dawn

Net Thrower

Net Thrower

Fishing with net

Fishing with net

Splash

Splash

Casting with net

Casting with net

Serenity

Serenity

Misty morning

Misty morning

Tranquil

Tranquil