THOSE WHO DO NOT REMEMBER THE PAST LIVE WITHOUT A FUTURE
The textual material presented here is sourced from the National Archives in Tartu, where it was possible to find the payrolls for May, June, and July 1949 from the “Audrurand” fishing kolkhoz archive. This historical recollection is based on those documents.
Fishermen of the Lindi Region: The Pillars of Our Industry (1949)
1949 Payroll Names:
- Juhansoo, Jaan & Leo
- Jaago, Jakob
- Jakobsoo, Arvi, Aleksei & Aliide
- Merirand, Elmar & Eero
- Pirs, Aliide & Jaan
- Rasvik, Jaan
- Kiis, Jakob
- Enelov
- Ennik, Elmar & Artur
- Matsoo, Anton
- Silivälja, Arteemi & Johannes
- Paju, Ewart
- Tarkpea, Martin & Gerda
- Käsper, Jakob, Elmar & Olympiada
- Maripuu, Feodor & Asta
- Baum, Vassili & Johannes
- Lasn, Jaan, Litsa & Martin
- Mangu, Jüri, August, Jaan, Nadežda, Arne & Heino
- Rehe, Mihkel & Jüri (sons Feliks and Jaan)
- Pammer, Mihkel
- Sorokin, Nikolai
The Birth of the Kolkhoz (April 14, 1949)
At the time of creation, many men immediately filled out applications to join the fishermen’s artel. Based on the 1949 socialization records, the inventory of the “Audrurand” artel consisted of:
- 17 motorboats
- 3 rowboats
- 491 large fish nets
- 53 large fish trap nets
- 14 herring trap nets
- 5 herring nets
- 10 eel trap nets
- 2 boxes of bottom lines
Membership and Production:
- Members: 62
- Annual Catch Plan: 1800 centners (ts)
- Actual Catch (by Oct 1st): 2234 ts (124% of plan)
Initially, fishermen joined cooperatives and artels, which provided members with gear and loans for boats. Through these cooperatives, the state allocated building materials on favorable terms and began acquiring transport boats equipped with strong engines and stationary nets. Fishing groups were formed to use large gear and motor vessels, and fish were sold through newly established reception points with fixed prices, which was vital during mass catches.
1949 Production Results
| Period | Plan (ts) | Actual (ts) | % Fulfilled |
| Q1 | N/A | N/A | Kolkhoz not yet formed |
| Q2 | 1650 | 2467.75 | 149.58% |
| Q3 | 100 | 19.59 | 19.50% |
| Q4 | 50 | 43.64 | 87.28% |
Ekspordi teenusesse Arvutustabelid
- Quarter 3 Failure: Caused by a lack of proper gear and the fact that fishermen were diverted to field work.
- Quarter 4 Failure: Hindered by a lack of fuel oil and the closure of the local fish reception point.
- Earnings: The average salary for the 40 active fishermen was 3627 rubles.
Coastal Village Traditions
It was common for fathers and sons to work together, as youths naturally learned the trade from their fathers. Families often worked in pairs, with both husbands and wives participating in the catch. Notable women in the industry included Olympiada Käsper and Linda Lants.
Fishermen operated from two main harbors: Lindi (Sarvi) and the harbor in Saulepi. They were organized into brigades of 5–6 members, led by a brigadier and a link leader.
Economic Significance: Coastal fishing has historically been a vital economic sector for the people of Pärnumaa. The proximity to the sea provided food for families and allowed for the sale of seafood to villagers and vacationers. Fishing, processing, and trade continue to provide jobs for many.
Image Captions
- Photo: (From left) Rein, Jüri Käsper, Einar Ennik, Jaan Rasvik, Ilmar Kaelep, Jakob Kiis, and Elmar Merirand.
- Craftsmanship: Fisherman Jüri Maide making a basket at Weeve farm, Kabriste, 1959.
- Fleet: “Audrurand” kolkhoz herring motorboat with fishermen A. Silivälja and J. Andresen, 1962.
- Lineage: Lifelong fishermen from the Mangu family—Jaan Mangu with sons Arne and Heino.