iSurprise Noor

Octopus fisherman off the ramparts

I have been fishing off the ramparts since I was 17 - I still love it just as much today. I have lots of friends in the Fort. I have no plans to retire and plan to fish here until my last days.
— A.S.M. Mubarak



Rampart fishing


For the past 43 years I have bicycled into the Fort several times a week to fish for octopus off the ramparts. The best times are at 8am and 2pm because the water is clear and you can see easily, particularly from December-March when the sea is calm.


It’s all in the technique

To catch the octopus I use a net, a spear or sometimes just my hands. Timing is key. It’s so instinctive for me; something inside. Sometimes all I do is prick the octopus and then put my arm out – it reacts by wrapping itself around. If the octopus is angry, it may put a lot of pressure on my arm, but usually this is not the case. I wade through the sea rather than catch them when I’m underwater because there is the possibility that a large one could grab me. This hasn’t happened but I am still careful. I definitely think octopuses understand humans. Sometimes they seem so confident.

Big catch

The largest octopus I caught was about 5 kilos. One this size can be sold for up to Rs.4500 to restaurants in the Fort or in the Galle Fish Market. If I can’t sell my catch, I give them to friends. Sometimes we cook a dish at home. My favourite way to prepare them is devilled with chilli and tomato.


Totally hooked


I have lots of friends in the Fort. I have no plans to retire and plan to fish here until my last days.

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