Fishing with cormorants in Hubei

Zhang Ziqiang, 44, comes from one of two remaining fishing families that still use traditional domesticated cormorants to catch fish for a living in Guankou village, Laifeng county, Hubei province.

Every day Zhang boats his six domesticated cormorants out to fish at the Xianfosi waters close to his home.

Using domesticated cormorants for fishing is a long upheld tradition in the area, but due to the influence of revolutionized fishing methods, decreasing resources and local tourism developments, the tradition is on the verge of extinction.

Zhang Ziqiang carries his six domesticated cormorants for fishing on Oct 23, 2012 at the Xianfosi waters in Guankou village, Laifeng county, Hubei province. [Photo/CFP]

Zhang Ziqiang boats his six domesticated cormorants for fishing on Oct 23, 2012 at the Xianfosi waters in Guankou village, Laifeng county, Hubei province. [Photo/CFP]