When the tide is right and the weather is fine, Sereima Cakaunitabua is usually stationed where she enjoys being the most – the old Vugalei Bridge in Lami.
The spot has become a second home for the Tai Vugalei, Tailevu woman, who has spent decades casting her line into the water’s edge.
Most days, fishing begins after breakfast, with her long time friend, Kelera Waqadau.
And by midday, when the scotching sun hovers above their heads, they are ready to head home.
Their day’s catch ends up in the dinner pot shared among friends or stored in the fridge for rainy days.
“I love fishing so when the weather is fine, I can be here every day of the week,” Sereima said.
“It’s better than just lazing around and doing nothing at home.”
As a young girl, she learned to fish by following the village women to where they stood waist-deep in the sea, patiently casting and gathering enough to nourish their families.
Years later, that lesson continues to help feed her family. Now living in Suvavou, where she is married, with her daughter and two grandchildren, she sees fishing as more than a hobby.
“Fishing is not for the faint-hearted. It requires a lot of patience and puts food on the table.”
“Sometimes you’d spend many hours fishing but would go back home with nothing at all, which happens. Sometimes there’s a lot of fish. There are good and bad days.”
Using sandworms called seasea, her usual daily catch includes matu, kaikai, kabatia and damu, that forage near the mangrove patch close to the bridge.
The fish end up on the family’s dinner table while the smaller ones are cooked for Nana, the family cat.
“Fishing provides me with some form of physical exercise and food for the family.”
“Life is tough, so this is one way I take care of my family and reduce my food expenses,” she said.
As long as the weather holds and the tide is right, she keeps returning to the bridge that has become a part of her daily routine.
“As long as there’s fish in the sea, you’d spot me on the bridge – rain or shine!”
