Song thinks of his birds as his children. (Photo/China Daily)
Since 2012, the local government has spent 430 million yuan restoring the ecology of Mata Lake and it has regained its vitality once more, with reeds and lotus flowers flourishing around its edges.In total, 84 types of plant and 110 species of animal have been recorded in the lake's vicinity. "The water is getting better and better," Song said. Despite government efforts, however, some rogue fishermen still operate, utilizing illegal fishing methods such as administering electric shocks.
"Using electricity can result in a bigger catch, but it harms the ecology of the lake because it kills other wildlife," Song said. "To protect the lake's ecology, some parts are off limits to fishermen. I only fish in the tributaries leading to the lake."
Cormorants can live for up to 25 years and the veteran fisherman thinks of his birds as his children. Each has its own name, from Huaying (motley bird) to Xiaohei (little black) and they are able to start fishing 100 days after birth. Song also has three daughters, none of whom learned his trade, and six nephews who know how to fish with cormorants, but chose not to follow in their uncle's footsteps.
"It's hard to raise cormorants, and young people like jobs in cities where they can earn much more than they could by fishing," he said. "I will fish with my cormorants for as long as I can, not only because it's a technique my ancestors handed down to me but also because it doesn't produce any pollution."
