Fisherman’s YouTube channel explores life in the sea

K Kingsten, a fisherman from Mookkaiyur village in Ramanathapuram district has been fishing for the past 20 years. After coming to know about TikTok videos’ popularity, he decided to give it a try. Once while fishing in the deep sea, he took a TikTok video on how fishing has been done. He shared a couple of similar videos and one video in which he is seen catching a shark went viral. In no time, his followers suggested him to start a YouTube channel where he can post longer videos about fishing, challenges faced by fishermen and so on. After discussing the possibilities with his friends and relatives, Kingsten started a YouTube channel called Ungal Meenavan Mookkaiyur. Every day, he shares informative videos about his sea expeditions and explains about the catch of the day as well.

“I didn’t know about YouTube and its possibilities earlier. My relatives helped me to start the channel. Within days of starting the channel, I got 10 lakh views for the videos. What I have noticed is that people like to know what’s happening deep inside the sea and how a fisherman spends time in the sea. I venture out for fishing early in the morning and will return to the shore by evening. I take videos while fishing and upload them when I am back home,” says Kingsten.

The 31-year-old fisherman considers the viewers’ suggestions seriously and replies to every comment he receives for the videos. Every Thursday, he does videos where he answers the questions raised by subscribers. “Most of the comments are appreciative. A few ask me to take videos of blue whales, conch shells and lesser-known variety of sea creatures. If I spot them during fishing, I quickly take short videos. Some people just wanted to know how fishermen tackle medical emergencies while at sea, how do we brave heavy winds and what are the dangers we face. Through the channel Ungal Meenavan Mookkaiyur, I wanted people to get an in-depth understanding of fishermen’s daily activities, experiences, and challenges they face,” he adds.

Kingsten’s videos are educational too — he talks about the harmful effects of plastic, the reason to save tortoises and so on. Apart from sharing knowledge on fishing and dangers he has encountered, Kingsten also cooks different seafood varieties. “In November, I started another YouTube channel called Ungal Meenavan Unavagam where I share videos of seafood cooking methods. The way we cook seafood is different from the way people in cities cook,” he remarks.