This report describes the fishing activities of the Galelan
people of North Halmahera. The data were collected from September
to November, 1976, when the author conducted fieldwork in
Limau Village. Observations were made from two different
perspectives; (1) the relationship between fishing gear and techniques,
and (2) utilization of traditional canoes in social activities.
1) Fishing. In general, fishing is of secondary importance
in the of subsistence economy, the people mainly depending on
sago and several kinds of root crops, including banana and yam.
Fishing activities shift seasonally according to the migration and
associated behavior of fish. Several fishing techniques are employed,
including handline (pa hau), longline (pa lia), rod and line
(pa totobe), scoop net (pa siu), gill net (pa soma bodo), fish trap
(igi), and fish hedges (sero). Handline fishing is the most important
subsistence pursuit. Fish traps and fish hedges seem to
have been introduced from Sulawesi by migrants. The other
techniques appear to be indigenous to Limau.
2) Canoe. All canoes in Limau are of the double outrigger
type. They are used now for fishing activities and formely also for
local transportation. Thus can be classified into two types; small
dugouts (awa) and medium size dugouts (bolotu), and large, plank
canoes (pakata). A particular type of canoe is used with specific
fishing techniques. The awa and bolotu are used for handline,
longline, rod and line, gill net, and the pakata is used only with the
scoop net.