Fish Food [antikvár]

^isliin'9Fishing is an ancient activityOtto Herman, who initiated the ethnographic research of fishing in the third quarter of the 19"" century, identified fishing as the most important ancient activity. It has been regarded as such since then by his followers.As a result of the river regulations of the 1800s and work on controlling floods, fishing opportunities changed for the worse in the Carpathian Basin and since then they have continued to deteriorate. Consequently, fish has also become of less importance in the public's general food consumption. However, to the utmost pleasure of those who cultivate ethnography, fishermen, though in a fragmented manner, tend to preserve and pass on their ancient knowledge of fishing. Ethnographical data collection and analysis may disclose such evidence of scientific value about the partial activities of this ancient profession that may help us gain a better understanding of the Hungarian people's ancient history.Today's fishermen's tools and fishing techniques are ancient in that, judging by the ethnological parallels and historical sources dating back to feudalism, the fishing techniques and tools used in the ancient times, the middle ages and the early modem times were similar to the ones currentiy in use. They were constantiy adapted according to the changing conditions and were of great benefit even after the advent of flood-control. Fish processing factories, whether self-suffi-cient or commodity-based, used to and still rely on a variety of tools and techniques that can be described as old or new, simple or complicated, requiring a small or a large investment. The diversity and changeability of the hydrographic and physiological conditions ofthe fish explain why there was a need to have a number of fishing techniques of different shapes, functions or efficiency at once. In amongst the rather diverse tools and techniques used to catch fish or other animals offered by nature for human consumption, fishermen, marshmen, crabbers and others of similar professions were only able to make their choice of available and necessary fishing techniques and tools based on their social and therefore financial status.All fishing equipment was carefully selectedThe choice of fishing techniques varies a great deal. A fisherman's equipment was thoughtfully selected whether he had permission or was trying to work as a poacher.