Fishing for food remains a way of life for islanders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, including the island of Maupiti, 27 nautical miles off Bora Bora. Traditional fishing grounds off Maupiti include a “haut-fond” where sea level rises from 3000 to 270 meters. This video highlights a day of traditional fishing at sea in French Polynesia. This contrasts markedly with some excesses of industrial fishing, and this is NOT sport fishing. Keep life simple! Music by Pan Sonic (Finland). Get the sub-woofer going! Thanks to friends Vetea, Vaiatea, Hiro, Ingrid, and of course Dawn Domingo at pension Tautiare. Dawn’s contact is www.maupitiisland.com
cool!
Indeed, traditional polynesian lifestyle out there is simple and cultural preservation is a major priority. Thanks for your comment!
what bait do you use?
Thanks for the question. The hook bait is called “ature” in tahitian. We net them right off the pier at pension Tautiare. I’ll find out the english name and post. As for the leafed-wrapped stuff, that is a secret familial recipe of some sort, with basically chopped sardine of some kind in a sticky sauce.
Got to an answer to lfml23; the bait used, “ature” in tahitian, is similar to Chinchard in French, or Chinchar, scad in English, latin name is Selar crumenophtalmus (block).
Sorry (very) few people have objected to a part of the video that refers to eating heart and liver of the fish. I had to remove one insulting comment about this. I think the treatment of the matter is not graphic in the video, and that it is important to point out to a ritual of clear cultural significance.
wait wwhat thats ok 5 stars this is cool and btw i think its nice that u eat that stuff if i heard right thats good so u dont waste fish but if u dont its ok i wouldent.
awsome video and superb music.
Thanks for your supportive comments. This helps me in helping these friends, you know. Yes for a simple, traditional lifestyle!
nice!
I also fish this way but withouth the stone. I just dont know what this type of fishing is called. Does anyone know?
That sunset must have been incredible!
awesome vid!
Thank you very much for your appreciation. I am just back from a month in Maupiti, where I settled down next year. Got engaged there. My friend Vetea pulled up a big swordfish by this very technique!
Thanks for your comment. It is actually sunrise, as we get to the high sea to reach the Haut-Fond about 20 nautical miles off. We have beautiful skies out there, no matter the weather!
In Maupiti, we call it ‘float’ fishing. I heard they call it dropped stone fishing in Hawaii.
Thanks for your nice comments. Was out there for a month with sporadic internet service, so sorry for the late answer.
Awsome video looks like on hell of a lot of fun.
Glad you like it. This is work, but work can be fun indeed, in particular when it boils down to getting good natural, raw food that you cannot get this fresh in any store!
Wow very cool!!!
Thanks for your comment. In only 9 months I will be living there, and I will derive much of my diet from such raw fish. Can’t wait!
Thanks for your comment. In only 9 months I will be living there, and I will derive much of my diet from such raw fish. Can’t wait!
damn that water looks freaking amazing
I guess this part of the South Pacific is cleaner than coastal waters of highly populated areas of the earth.