Traverse along the Warakopa Creek
Waini River
shrimp in an hour ; it sounded easy and I knew I had to try it ! Aunty Geraldine is one of the elders of the village who lives alongside the Waini River and is known for her shrimp catching skills . Her haul of shrimp is used for her family ’ s subsistence and also sold to villagers .
While we were enthusiastic about filling our bucket with shrimp , we did not count on the patience it required . After what seemed like a considerable time with no luck , a conversation swirled to focus on life in this Warrau community made up of approximately six hundred people . Warapoka is located in the Moruca Sub-district with some of its residents living along the Waini while others live inward of the Warapoka Creek . Villagers speak a mix of Warrau , their Indigenous language , and english . It is predominantly a farming community . However , the village sees tourism as a form of alternative livelihood while promoting its natural heritage , conservation , reigniting their culture and encouraging the involvement of women and youths .
“ You have to move your hand quickly , don ’ t make the shrimp eat out your bait ,” instructs aunty Geraldine . She mentions that the darkness which now surrounds is the ideal setting for me to be lucky .
The lightning movements at my bait alert me to the presence of aquatic life . Hopefully , I pulled my rod up at every point when it seemed I might have a prize at the end of the line . There were moments of emptiness until there was a shrimp ! With excitement , I proclaimed that I had one in the books . By the activity ’ s end , I had caught eight shrimp . As I headed back to the village , I catalogued this experience and vowed that next time , there would be more captures in my bucket .
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