THE 1960’s IN LINDI FISHING
Fishing served as the absolute foundation of the kolkhoz’s economic activity. Between 1949 and 1960, income from fishing accounted for 81.1% of all sissetulekutest , and in the fish-rich year of 1955, this figure surged to over 90%.
Economic Performance (1961)
Based on the annual report of 1961, the total income was distributed as follows:
- Fishing: 185.46 thousand rubles (83.2% of total income).
- Agriculture: 37.20 thousand rubles (16.7% of total income).
- Other Income: 3.59 thousand rubles.
Efficiency improved significantly over time; while 3,350 centners were caught in 1950, the catch reached 7,531.2 centners by 1961. On an individual basis, the catch per fisherman rose from 79.5 to 139.9 centners during that same period.
Labor and Workforce
By the end of 1961, the kolkhoz consisted of 175 people, the vast majority of whom were local residents. While high earnings attracted outsiders, many were merely seeking “easy money” and could not withstand the grueling reality of a fisherman’s work, leading to frequent departures.
Workforce Distribution (1949–1961):
| Year | Total Fishermen | Total Agriculture Workers | Women in Agriculture |
| 1949 | 40 | 43 | 20 |
| 1952 | 45 | 95 | 69 |
| 1955 | 53 | 49 | 47 |
| 1958 | 52 | 47 | 41 |
| 1961 | 54 | – | 35 |
Growing Prosperity and Modernization
As collective efforts began to pay off, coastal villages became noticeably wealthier. New houses were built with garages as a standard feature, signaling a rise in personal vehicle ownership.
In 1961, the kolkhoz families owned 16 passenger cars:
- 1 “Volga”.
- 6 “Pobedas”.
- 9 “Moskvichs”.
- The first “Volga” on Lindi beach belonged to fisherman Jaan Mangu.
- Most car owners also maintained motorcycles.
By 1961, the average income for an “Audrurand” fisherman was 1,681 rubles, which was significantly higher than the republican average of 1,321 rubles reported by the Fish Industry Management.
Fleet and Infrastructure
Infrastructure kept pace with economic growth; in 1961, a large brick repair shop for fishing gear replaced the old wooden sheds at the harbor.
The “Praga” Specialty: “Audrurand” possessed a rarity among Pärnu-area kolkhozes: a “Praga” refrigerated truck. With a seven-ton capacity, it was used to transport raw fish from distant shores and deliver finished products from the factory.
The Kakuampaat (Pound Net Boat): A specific type of wooden motorboat, the kakuampaat, became standard for pound net fishing.
- Dimensions: 10–12 meters long and 2.5 meters wide.
- Power: Diesel engines evolved from 20 hp to 60 hp; some even used tractor engines.
- Design: Features a straight bow and open center for hauling in the catch, with buoyancy boxes at both ends.
The 1969 Merger
In late 1969, the “Audruranna” and “Pärnuranna” kolkhozes decided to merge to strengthen their economic position. This union formed the unified “Audrurand” fishing kolkhoz.
Snapshot of 1968 Performance:
- Total Income: 926.2 thousand rubles.
- Fishing/Catch Income: 346.3 thousand rubles.
- Fish Processing Income: 353.7 thousand rubles.
- Average Fisherman’s Catch: 248 centners.
- Average Fisherman’s Earnings: 2,454 rubles.
Social Reflections and Environment
While the era was one of growth, it faced social challenges. The kolkhoz leadership had to actively combat excessive spending on alcohol among the workforce. Additionally, there was a growing awareness of environmental stewardship; fishermen were reminded that protecting fish stocks was not just the job of inspectors, but their own responsibility to ensure “fish bread” for their sons and grandsons.
The introduction of “kapron” (nylon) nets even brought out coastal humor: one fisherman joked that the material was so powerful it “pulls men’s eyes to women’s calves and makes fish run headfirst into the mesh”.