I was taking a pleasant stroll down the center of one of the small northern islands of Majuro, when I saw this beautiful fish trap leaning against a tree. The trap is sturdy, about four feet in height, and has been repaired numerous times. What a beautiful object it is.
According to Marshallese Manit: The u (or wu) was a fish trap that is submerged in 15-30 feet of water and left for at least 5 days. The trap is made of twigs of kōñe (ironwood tree) and bob (pandanus) aerial roots, bent like hoops and lashed together with ekkwal (coconut sennit rope). There was a round entrance in the middle of the front wall that allowed fish to swim into the basket. To keep the fish from escaping a funnel of rings and sticks gradually close in from the entrance. A small side door is used to remove the fish. Fish caught with this technique range from mone (unicorn fish) to kuru (grouper).
Marshallese Culture
Read more stories about the history and culture of the Marshall Islands … with many being relevant today.
