Cast net fishing is believed to have been used centuries ago by ancient Polynesians as an efficient way to catch small to medium sized fish. Many Hawaiian fishermen adopted the technique of throwing nets as learned from Japanese old time fishermen.
They were taught how to make the nets and the art of patiently stalking fish as well as the proper way to throw the net. The technique is to cast the net over the fish so that it opens in a full circle over the fish before it drops into the water. The nets have small lead weights around the edge of the net helping it to sink quickly over the fish. A fisherman had to know the ocean, the tides and the fish habits to be successful.
The artist of this shirt created a simple design to commemorate the throw net fisherman, painting simple schools of small reef fish, and silhouettes of the fishermen throwing nets to the right and to the left, balancing the print’s activity. Little gestures indicating the lead weights are carefully depicted on each net rim. The large amount of open ground space allows the viewer to appreciate the simplicity of the design while sharing the appreciation for this unique way of fishing that was adapted by skilled Hawaiian fishermen.
