Spotlight on Fishermen: Abdul Athman Bakari – Navigating Life on the Water
Abdul Athman Bakari’s connection to the ocean isn’t just professional, it’s a lifelong relationship steeped in tradition and knowledge passed down over generations. Born in Ngomeni and raised in Lamu, Abdul has spent over 15 years mastering the intricacies of fishing, drawing from his father’s wisdom. But in Abdul’s world, the ocean speaks a language only a few understand. “I learned to fish from my father when I was a teenager. Back then, we had no ice, so we used salt to preserve the fish. We also fished by reading the stars and the ocean, using nature as our guide.”
Navigating by Nature
“For us, nature tells us when to fish. We look at the tides, winds, the moon, and stars. If the moon is behind clouds or the tides are high, it means strong winds, and we stay home. But if the stars are bright, the winds are calm. The sunset also speaks—when it’s orange-red and clear, we know the morning will be good for fishing.”
A Typical Fishing Day
Abdul’s fishing season begins in September, during the high season when the northeast monsoon winds, or Kaskazi, bring favorable conditions. From March to August, however, strong southeast monsoon winds, known as Kusi, bring rough seas, high tides, strong currents, and heavy rain, preventing them from fishing as consistently as during Kaskazi.
His day starts at 5 a.m. As the captain of his crew, Abdul oversees their daily routine, preparing fuel, gear, and bait, and heads out to sea. “We begin fishing around 5:30 a.m. when the fish come out to feed. If the conditions are right, we’ll have a good day. But some days, you might spend hours fighting to reel in a big catch like the 65 kg tuna I once caught. That took four hours. Or, you might go home with nothing but still have fuel debts to pay.” The challenges are plenty, but his passion for fishing remains unshaken.
His family shares this life. "My wife also fishes. Every time we eat fish at home, it's what she caught," he says, smiling. Fishing is more than a job, it's the way of life for so many people in Lamu County.
Looking Forward
"Kumbatia changed everything. Before, we didn't know how to preserve quality, but with their training in ikejime, the fish tastes better and stays fresh longer. They also provide fuel, reducing our costs and guaranteeing a market for our catch. Now we can focus on fishing, knowing our efforts won't go to waste."
Abdul’s journey shows the delicate balance of tradition, nature, and progress. Leading the way for the next generation of fishermen. We are proud to work alongside fishermen like him whose connection to the sea and hard work is at the heart of everything we do.
