Lines of Food: Congo
Lines of Food: Men and Fishing - Democratic Republic of Congo

Fishery in Kalemie, Democratic Republic of Congo, is done at Lake Tanganyika inside of old and barely floating boats. Here, the growth of fish supersedes the small amount fishermen are able to capture, due to a lack of proper material resources and outdated techniques. In a country ravaged by violence and conflict, fishing represents for this community a safe possibility to survive.


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90 million tons of fish are captured annually, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Fisheries are global businesses that provide income and sustenance to millions of people. For a large part, the fishing culture in each community is more than just a mere source of income, but a core element of the community’s identity.

The photo essay series "Lines of Food: Men and Fishing" capture stories from the life and work of fishermen in three distinct communities: Alaska, USA, Unzen City, Japan and Kalemie, Democratic Republic of Congo. These communities, with differing fishing traditions, settled in different parts of the world, are subtly the same as fishing is the main element of daily life for each one.These three regions are highly influenced by their traditional fishing natures; this is reflected in both individual and communal levels and is affected by the cultural context of each region, thus representing global diversity through a common activity.

This visual exploration highlights the contrast and similarities of these communities, with the aim to uncover the divergent narrative thread behind each community’s relationship to the profession.