Aldona’s hidden gems: Mohan’s ‘Manshachem Sungtta’ and the abundance of the poim

In the quaint village of Quitla lies a small but thriving business that has been in existence for centuries. It’s fishing based on the simple yet effective technique of using a ‘manos’, which is a traditional sluice gate, to catch prawns and other seafood from the backwaters, called ‘poim’ in Konkani. Mohan Volvoikar, a local fisherman, has been keeping this tradition alive for the last 15 years. His father had been doing it for 75 years before him.

“The manos has been in my family for generations,” says Mohan, who hails from Dauza Vaddo in Quitla, Aldona. “My father did it, and now I do it. It’s a way of life for us.”

The manos is an innovative way of catching prawns that involves a series of bamboo poles and nets placed in a strategic

location in the water. The prawns swim in with the tide, and when the tide turns, they are caught in the net.

Mohan’s manos specializes in catching ‘Manshachem Sungtta’. These prawns are highly sought after by locals and tourists alike, as they are known to be the tastiest kind available in the market.

“There are many types of prawns we net, some are big in size while others in uncommon colours,” says Mohan. “The different prawns are locally called Koddim, Balm and Dhovi Sungtta. Often, we get crabs and big fish like thipro, khorsannim and catfish in the net.”

While his mother is tasked with selling the catch in the market, many people come directly to Mohan’s manos to buy his prawns, as they are guaranteed to be fresh and of the highest quality. “People buy prawns from me just to dry and preserve them for the monsoon,” says Mohan.

“If dried well, they can be stored

for more than five years without any damage.”

Mohan’s father advised him to never give up this occupation and to continue doing it for as long as he can. Incidentally, Mohan’s father died by drowning, in a mishap that occurred at the sluice gate around five years ago. This however has not driven Mohan away. “This manos has been the source of livelihood for me and my family. Even my father raised us by fishing at this sluice gate,” he says, earnestly. The annual auction, locally known as Pavnnim, is a highly anticipated event for Mohan and his family. “I used to attend it

with my father, and till date, we have always managed to bag the manos,” says Mohan. “Earlier, we used to win the auction for just Rs 10,000 to 20,000, but now the price has increased tremendously.