Prawn Harvesting 01

[David48]

Prawn Harvesting 01

This will be one in a series on how the Thais Farm and harvest their Shrimp/Prawn crop.

Previously, Prawns were harvested as a stand alone Farm Produce in Thailand and through out S-E-Asia.

Ponds were shallow, harvests bountiful, but the rise in disease had a huge affect on Prawn mortality thus, from what I have read, was largely discontinued in Thailand.

Now, every Farm is different, but from my observations, what the Farm Mother and Father attempt to execute on their Farm is fairly close to the standard practise in these parts. These parts being in the Flood Plains around Bangkok. They run a combined combined Fish and Shrimp Farm.

Now, this might seem strange, but the harvesting of Prawns is not the main income producing activity on the Farm ... that remains the Fish Harvest.

The Farmers catch the Prawns to pay for their Fish Food. Many a time we've taken the Prawns to Market, only to return with a truck load of Fish Food.

There are many ways to harvest the Prawns ... but one remains the most popular in these parts.

That method, with the use of lots of Media, I'll describe here.

Most of you guys who grow Prawns at your Farm, most likely, don't use this method described.

BUT IT'S FROM YOU, THE SMALL SCALE FARMER, HOBBYIST, THAT I WANT TO HEAR FROM!!!

Please do contribute ... don't worry what I write about ... scale of the operation does, up to a point, dictate the methodology employed. So also please show us how you guys do it ...

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[David48]

Firstly ... what does a Fish/Prawn Pond look like?

Refurbished, existing pond after having it's walls reworked in the process of being filled

Actually, in this clip, the pond is not actually being filled ... because the pond had been used before and the fact that the soil has been disturbed ... it's actually being rinsed!

The owner (a neighbour) filled maybe a little more then half full ... then drained it ... then filled it again!

Rinsed because of the build up of nitrates and also the possibility of Acid Sulphate Soils (ASS)

Back to the Farm Ponds...

The whiteness of the Nitrate build-up

Note the moderate slope of the embankments on the drained pond.

Sunrise of the drained pond ... one of the few times the Farm looks romantic ... it was a magic morning.

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Edited May 26, 2013 by David48

[David48]

If the Farmer hasn't renovated their ponds for a while, they will begin to look like that ...

Due mostly to the wind and hence wave action above and below ...

[David48]

I forgot to add, and to late now to edit the post above, the reason to show you the first photo in Post #3 was that after time the bank erodes from being a gradual bank to one which is steeper and when you are harvesting the Prawns ... difficult to pull the nets up to the bank.

I was very lucky during my Farm Stay visit and got to visit the Prawn Hatchery ... and will do a separate thread on that later.

Better to keep each of these threads short and topic focused.

... and the topic of this is Prawn Harvesting 01 so ...

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Edited May 26, 2013 by David48

[Johnjc]

Hi David48,

Thanks to you and others for bringing interesting threads to TV. The farming in Thailand section is easily the best imo.

Threads like this bring a greater understanding of life in Thailand and show the real life trials and tribulations.

Just out of interest how long does it take to empty and fill a pond that size? Is the pond filled / emptied via a pump, by siphoning or breaching the wall of the pond or a bit of each.

[David48]

Laying the Trap ...

The nets are placed, usually on the long side of the pond.

No food inside to attract the Prawn.

In situ net

The attractor ... the humble light bulb

The even more humble electricity feed.

Bare wires attached to bamboo poles.

The greater Pond

By this stage MissFarmGirl had become upset with me taking photos at night near the pond as she well knew the danger of the bare live wires that feed the lights. ... it's just how the Thais do it.

So, the nets are placed, during the day close to the edge of the pond resting on the ponds bottom, allowed to sit there during the day. Come nightfall, the lights are turned on and are left on during the night.

Come sparrows fart, before sunrise but with the light just started the crew are assembled, fed a little or enjoy a coffee in my case until everyone assembles ... 10 mins tops.

Usually 4 people is enough to complete the job. Always family or a close neighbour.

The kids are preparing for school so the Farm house is awake so the call is made to turn the power off.

Let the harvest begin ...

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[David48]

Hi David48,

Thanks to you and others for bringing interesting threads to TV. The farming in Thailand section is easily the best imo.

Threads like this bring a greater understanding of life in Thailand and show the real life trials and tribulations.

Just out of interest how long does it take to empty and fill a pond that size? Is the pond filled / emptied via a pump, by siphoning or breaching the wall of the pond or a bit of each.

Mate ... I'll answer that in full a little later and let you know when I do.

But quickly ... the ponds are, as you correctly said, emptied and filled usually via a pump or a mechanical machine.

RBH, with his catfish farm uses a few small pumps look here.

This Farm and some of the neighbours use this machine.

The other, older style, but still in everyday use can be viewed here.

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[David48]

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The Crew hauls the first net, first day 1 ...

As mentioned ... usually, for this type of harvest there are 4 people.

Could do it with 3, and if it's a small catch, 2 experienced people.

With this method, a single man operation would be extremely difficult.

I like the expectant expression of the Farm Girl looking forlornly into the empty basket, maybe wishing for a bumper catch.

Ah yes ... the Farm Mutt ... goes everywhere with the Farm Girl.

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Edited May 26, 2013 by David48

[David48]

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The Crew hauls the first net, first day ...

The lucky Farm Worker who gets wet ... I never did that bit.

Some have the vegetation around the pond ... some don't.

It does hinder a little bit come harvest time, but the beneficial effects of having a stable bank and reducing the nitrate load (not sure if that is the exact term) by the grasses using the fish waste as a nutriment.

It looked a promising haul ... but looks can be deceiving as it was much less then hoped for.

Pulling the net on a bank with no grass. Also a good shot (not by me) of the net in profile.

Two workers and the Farm Mother

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[David48]

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Landing the Harvest ...

First catch

Second net, second catch

Certainly a 2 person operation to empty the net.

It's not a Prawn it's a ...

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[David48]

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You never know what the net will haul in ...

So the net does catch a variety of Aquatic life.

All the fish that I witnessed caught were returned to the pond.

However the crabs here a highly prized catch.

Some came to our dinner table .. the surplus sold.

There is no sex identification and the females were not returned to the Pond for further breeding.

The crabs are bought small, fattened and then caught and sold ... it's how the ponds harvest is turned over.

Once everything else is removed ... this is what you hope to end up with ...

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[David48]

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A mixed Harvest

Prawns, Fish and that sole crab ... very carefully handled

Just Prawns this time.

The white plastic sheet is a just a Fish Feed bag sliced open.

It keeps the catch off the dirt and also makes the strays easier to spot and return to the Basket.

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[market trader]

Thanks for all your efforts. I never knew how harvesting was done until now.

[David48]

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How do the Nets Work?

A single net drying.

The Prawns are attracted by the light and then enter the net ... 'why' they go inside ... I don't know ... they just do.

When I asked the Net's name, MissFarmGirl replied and translated it as a 'Dumb or Simple' Net.

Essentially it works like a one way net ... the Prawn can Walk/Swim in ... but can't then get out.

I encircled the 'door' with the red circle.

The nets drying before either being repositioned back into the Pond or stored for the next Harvest.

MissFarmGirl described this as the Prawns 'dancing.

Two workers bring a good catch of Prawns out of the Pond.

Shows also how the net 'ribs' are bought together.

These guys have done this more times then I've had hot dinners.

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[David48]

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If you watch only one Video ... watch this one!

At just over 2 mins ... it's long ... but it shows the whole process of a Prawn Harvest.

Also, you do see the Man and the Boy place their hands through the Net's 'doors' to remove some fish.

Shame that there almost no prawns caught ... but you'll get the idea.

I like the dogs ... they are always with you and I love the boy checking out the small crab ... till it nips him ...

The reason for the noise in the post above is that the Farm is under the flight path into Swampy.

Plane spotting ...

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Edited May 27, 2013 by David48

[MissFarmGirl]

hello, this is me, the farm girl in most photo here

David can show or farm and people, no problem 100%

I like this photo with Father, he work hard, wake up maybe 3 and 30 in morning

I hope you enjoy this story and not boring to you?

[David48]

Thanks MissFarmGirl for dropping by.

Now that I have her acknowledgement, I can say that 'the Farm Girl' is MissFarmGirl.

What keeps you sane at getting up in the wee hours is to have some fun in all things you do.

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The Thai concept of Sanuk ...

Check out those shoes ... excellent in the mud and easy to clean.

I patiently await my pair ... but size 10's are rare.

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The Farm dogs go everywhere with her. They are an integral part of Farm life.

I never really appreciated them until, with the tick season upon us ... the Boss Dog got really sick ... we thought that we might lose him.

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This motorbike and side-car is a real work-horse on the Farm ... I'll show a bit more below.

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Edited May 27, 2013 by David48

[David48]

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The Farm Tractor ...

That bike serves a multitude of uses at the Farm ...

Farm Father, MissFarmGirl and the trusty 'tractor'

Homeward bound

My absolute favourite photo.

Farm Father despondent with the days Prawn Harvest ... it was below par.

MissFarmGirl looking towards the other team on another pond, optimistic that their haul maybe be better, faithful dog, always there.

Like me ... it's got a few hard miles on the dial

Good shot to show the construction. Also why you rarely see the Farm Father in the Ponds ... he's an amputee below the knee on one leg

A sorting table

The excitement of the ride ... do you remember, as a boy, the fun of riding the machine?

Farm Father starting to ice the prawns (ice from the orange box) in the back of his truck before he takes them to market in the blue barrels. I'll show that later.

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Finished for the day, time to place the nets away.

Farm Father makes sure I don't miss out on the action.

It took a little while and a little trust to get him on board with what I did ... but as the trust developed, he actively sort me out to show aspects of his Farm Life ... ... respect.

.

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Edited May 27, 2013 by David48

[sjefrie]

hello, this is me, the farm girl in most photo here

David can show or farm and people, no problem 100%

I like this photo with Father, he work hard, wake up maybe 3 and 30 in morning

I hope you enjoy this story and not boring to you?

Not boring at all !!!

Thanks for sharing David and MissFarmGirl

[26characters]

this is absolutely excellent David and MissFarmGirl. kawp kun maak

[David48]

this is absolutely excellent David and MissFarmGirl. kawp kun maak

Well ... thanks

Excellent 1st post ... you have good style ...

The truth be know, in the Farming Forum there are a number of excellent threads along this style which the members here have contributed ... this is just one of them.

There's pigs, worms, garlic, tomatoes, fish, rubber trees ... the list almost have no end.

I'm just particularly lucky insomuch that I have the confidence and trust of the Farm Family, hence I can film what I film.

Welcome to Thai Visa ... I hope enjoy all that there is to offer ...

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[David48]

As each net is hauled from the Pond, it's emptied into what is the equivalent of a washing basket.

That pond is (from memory as I'm not there now) is roughly 50m x 150m with maybe 12 or 14 nets placed in overnight.

Once the basket is full, it's tied off before the Prawns are iced back at the Farm Building.

MissFarmGirl hauling the empty blue barrel that the Farm will fill with Prawns and ice and take to the Wholesale Prawn Market.

Prawns on Ice ... and the lone baby crab on top of the ice.

This is the blue barrel in the photo above.

At this stage it's 2/3 full ... you can see the ring.

Next we'll head off to the local (small scale) Wholesale Prawn Market ... the 2^nd in this Prawn Harvesting series.

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[shaggy1969]

Excellent thread David.

Well presented,informative and a pleasure to view.

A lot of time, thought and effort has gone into this thread.

A big thumbs up to Yourself,MissFarmGirl and her Family

Edit.... I am a little surprised and disappointed that other members haven't hit the Like button.

I know that you didn't make this thread for that,but it is an easy way to show appreciation even if you have no comment or question to ask.

Edited May 28, 2013 by shaggy1969

[David48]

Thanks Shaggy1969 ... a very kind appraisal.

You're right ... I don't do it for the 'likes' ... I just like sharing what I experience in Thailand.

I have access to so many wonderful things in Thailand, I would be remiss not to document and share them ... and simply let them pass on by.

With very few comments or acknowledgements (likes) it's difficult to know if the Forum members enjoy these missives or not ... difficult to estimate.

It takes literally days, if not weeks to capture, edit and then post the adventures ... but you know what ... I get a buzz from doing it, the act of posting is a reward in itself.

Plus, what it's done has bought me closer to the Thai community here.

One example was when we did the thread about charcoal making ... wheres-theres-smoke-theres I got to met the Farm's closest neighbour who is not related (most of the neighbours are related).

I got enough material over 2 visits to make that thread.

Maybe a week or two later I spotted 200 Baht on the ground at the Farm on the road between the 2 properties. Asked around the Farm Family ... wasn't theirs (Farmers are an honest lot mainly). Asked who had visited and apparently one of the Charcoal Makers had dropped by.

So MissFarmGirl and I visited the Farm, asked if they were short any money etc without nominating an amount and one of the workers

said that he couldn't find a couple of hundred Baht ... that was enough for us and handed it over.

The Farm Boss there was impressed and then invited us into his sacred Temple room and offered to us 2 Buddha Amulets which were warmly received.

This sort of action can sometimes be the glue that keeps communities together.

We do the same with the other members around here ... they grown to trust me and the camera and you can see the honesty and feel their warmth in their images ...

The 'honorary' Uncle (he's just a renting neighbour), dirt poor, but accepted as a 'brother' by the Farm Family

The charcoal worker after a shower ...

The 'drunk' (real) uncle

The charcoal kids

Sometimes we make a print and give to them ... they are always appreciative.

With life at the Farm ... I have a million more stories but, for now, I've rambled on to long.

Thanks for liking this thread ...

EDIT:- BTW, the next in this series is the wholesale-prawn-market ... even my photo's in that one ...

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Edited May 28, 2013 by David48

[Packdee]

Hi David48,

Your thread "Prawn Harvesting 01" reminds me the traditional prawn harvesting and large scale prawn harvesting.
The traditional prawn harvesting is simply. The farmer only open the sluice to let water out of the pond but a net is placed at the sluice gate to catch any prawns that move out with the water.

The large scale harvesting was developed after we changed to intensive or large scale prawn cultivation.

Tons of prawn must be moved out of the pond as quick as possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g9u_B-yb8M

[David48]

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For anyone who has an interest in large scale Prawn/Shrimp Farming the links above from Khun Packdee above is a must see.

Thank you so much for sharing that with us ...

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[BookMan]

Sterling work OP.

You have put a lot of work into this comprehensive and excellent thread

[BookMan]

Thanks MissFarmGirl for dropping by.

Now that I have her acknowledgement, I can say that 'the Farm Girl' is MissFarmGirl.

What keeps you sane at getting up in the wee hours is to have some fun in all things you do.

LR DSCF7945.JPG . LR DSCF7947.JPG

The Thai concept of Sanuk ...

LR Prawn Harvest and Buy Prawn 053.jpg

Check out those shoes ... excellent in the mud and easy to clean.

I patiently await my pair ... but size 10's are rare.

LR DSCF6668.JPG . LR DSCF6766.JPG

The Farm dogs go everywhere with her. They are an integral part of Farm life.

I never really appreciated them until, with the tick season upon us ... the Boss Dog got really sick ... we thought that we might lose him.

LR DSCF7881.JPG . LR DSCF7971.JPG

This motorbike and side-car is a real work-horse on the Farm ... I'll show a bit more below.

.

My little PomPam girlfriend! (The dog)

[BookMan]

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If you watch only one Video ... watch this one!

At just over 2 mins ... it's long ... but it shows the whole process of a Prawn Harvest.

Also, you do see the Man and the Boy place their hands through the Net's 'doors' to remove some fish.

Shame that there almost no prawns caught ... but you'll get the idea.

I like the dogs ... they are always with you and I love the boy checking out the small crab ... till it nips him ...

The reason for the noise in the post above is that the Farm is under the flight path into Swampy.

Plane spotting ...

.

It was getting very cinematic-ly artistically shot towards the end of that video.....camera pans out and the such

[David48]

.If you watch only one Video ... watch this one!

At just over 2 mins ... it's long ... but it shows the whole process of a Prawn Harvest.

Also, you do see the Man and the Boy place their hands through the Net's 'doors' to remove some fish.

Shame that there almost no prawns caught ... but you'll get the idea.

I like the dogs ... they are always with you and I love the boy checking out the small crab ... till it nips him ... .

It was getting very cinematic-ly artistically shot towards the end of that video.....camera pans out and the such

I'll take that as a compliment ...

Must admit, the Farm always does this at Sunrise and it's a nice way to end the Video off.

Had you seen the Photo and not the video conclusion ... it would have look like this.

Taken another day doing the same ole same ole.