NEWSPAPER “PÄRNU COMMUNIST” ABOUT OUR FISHERMEN
Fishermen on Itinerant Fishing (1953)
In the first half of August, leading fishermen set out with motorboats to the Tibriko shoal area for itinerant fishing. Soon, fishermen from all three fishing brigades followed. So far, more than 10 centners of fat autumn Baltic herring, perch, and other valuable fish have been delivered to the reception points. On itinerant fishing trips, every suitable day is used to the maximum, seeking out the most productive fishing grounds. In the socialist competition between brigades, the 3rd fishing brigade led by F. Maripuu is currently in the lead, having already fulfilled its annual plan. The brigade has sold its first quantities of fish over the annual plan to the state and continues the struggle to exceed the plan even further. In the same brigade, the boat crew led by J. Mangu has already fulfilled their quarterly plan by 165 percent. — A. Rannaste, Pärnu Kommunist, No. 53, August 29, 1953
Unprecedented Fish Catches (1957)
“You drive the net under the ice and light a cigarette. Before the cigarette is finished, the net is full of fish,” the fishermen say. Their family members and other local residents also participate in the fishing. To make it brighter at night, the kolkhoz members brought their cars and motorcycles, directing the light of their lamps toward the fishing sites. While fishing in the same area, the “Audruranna” kolkhoz has fulfilled its 1st quarter fishing plan nearly three and a half times over. The earnings of individual “Audruranna” fishermen, such as A. Jakobsoo and others, from fishing during the month of January reached over 10,000 rubles. The entire kolkhoz caught over 35,000 kg of fish in January. — Pärnu Kommunist, No. 14, February 2, 1957
Fruitful Fishing Work (1953)
It is an early morning hour when fisherman Jaan Mangu steps outside. He takes a sled, places his tools on it, and sets off. In the distance, the dark shapes of fishermen’s dwellings can be seen, and lights flicker from windows. All other fishermen of the “Audruranna” fishing kolkhoz in Pärnu district are also preparing to head out on their next fishing trip. Jaan Mangu’s 65-year-old father and neighbor Jüri Rehe approach; both are diligent workers awarded medals for their labor.
Having reached the sea, Jaan clears light ice from the fishing holes, puts up a tarpaulin for a windbreak, kneels by the open ice hole, and places a crossbar under the ice so that underwater loose ice pieces do not damage the expensive capron (nylon) net. Carefully, he begins to take the gear out, and soon he has emptied the fish from the net. With an experienced eye, he estimates the catch at several dozen kilograms, lowers the gear back into the water, puts the fish on the sled, and moves quickly to the next net. — Pärnu Kommunist, No. 22, January 31, 1953
Preparing for Spring Fishing (1953)
The fishermen of the “Audruranna” fishing kolkhoz are determined to fulfill their quarterly fishing plan ahead of schedule. From the very first fishing days, they are on the sea for under-ice fishing from early morning until evening. By the end of the first decade of January, Mart Könning, August Isak, Jüri Rehe, and Jaan Mangu fulfilled their monthly tasks nearly 1.5 times over. Leading the way is Feodor Maripuu’s brigade, which has already fulfilled its January fishing plan by 111.7 percent. The fishermen are not satisfied with what they have achieved and promise to fulfill the quarterly plan 100-percent by the day of the local soviet elections, providing dozens of centners of vimba, pikeperch, and other valuable fish over the plan. — Pärnu Kommunist, No. 12, January 17, 1953
Trouble with Fish Delivery (1957)
The fishermen of the “Audruranna” kolkhoz are in serious trouble delivering smaller quantities of scaled fish to the Lindi department of the Liu purchasing point of the Pärnu Fish Industry. For the sake of saving time, such quantities are not taken to Pärnu. The problem lies in the lack of purchasing point premises and a landing jetty to transport the fish from sea to shore. A landing jetty was indeed built in April, but it is more for practitioners of acrobatics than for fishermen to transport fish. Transporting fish from there to the current purchasing point set up in a fisherman’s house is hard work. The purchasing point lacks even the most basic inventory—there isn’t even a table for writing receipts. — H. Nikolai, Fishing Technician of “Audruranna” fishing kolkhoz, Pärnu Kommunist, No. 76, June 29, 1957
Conservation of Pikeperch and Vimba (1965)
Pikeperch (zander) fishing in Pärnu Bay has significantly decreased in recent years. This is due to both unfavorable hydrometeorological conditions and irrational industrial fishing. In May, June, and July, up to 70 percent of the annual pikeperch catch in Pärnu Bay is caught with trap nets. Unfortunately, fishermen do not always adhere to the minimum size for pikeperch, which is 40 cm. Despite fairly high fines, undersized fish are often sold illicitly. — K. Mudama, Pärnu Kommunist, No. 101, August 4, 1965
“Audruranna” Factory Mark (1966)
The launch of the first kolkhoz fish processing enterprise in the district last year (1965) brought a flow of radio, television, and press workers to “Audrurand.” This time, a fish smoking workshop was put into operation, which had cost 10,000 rubles to establish and was expected to pay for itself in one year. Was it achieved? Of course. The workshop was expanded further, and this year 10 smoking ovens are already smoking continuously. In 4–5 hours, raw fish takes on a golden hue and a tasty flavor during the day. Higher grade smoked sprats are sent to the fish combine to be canned in oil; they will receive a new name: sprats (sprotid). A week ago, a new workshop was launched to produce preserves. — Pärnu Kommunist, No. 74, April 16, 1966
Image Captions & Highlights
- The “Kavaru” Trawler: The team of the “Kavaru” trawler is fishing well. In October, the “Kavaru” had caught more than any other SCS-type ship in our republic during the whole year.
- New Fishing Methods: In 1961, the brigade led by Jaan Raavik accidentally discovered a new way to catch eel using a drag net during bait fishing.
- Generational Tradition: The fisherman family of “Audruranna” grew by four young members: Heino and Daniel Mangu, Endel Seer, and Jaan Kira, whose fathers have worked in the same collective farm for years.
- Success Rates: In the socialist competition, the brigade led by Juhan Mangu leads with 133 percent fulfillment of the quarterly plan.