The unique food habits of people of Assam especially fish eating, one of the most regular consumption foods. An occasional availability of a fish variety which is called Goiral is one of the highest costly fish only found in the Beki River in Barpeta, Assam.  This is a significant source of income for local fishermen and occasionally found in the winter season and the local fishermen fish for household consumption and subsidiary income purposes.

The Goiral fishermen do not belong to the fisher folk community. They use a unique technique for catching fish. They are putting fencing in the river to reduce water current. Fishing of Goiral happens mostly in November and December when the water level decreased and also there was less water current which is suitable for fishing. The Goiral fish has high market value in Barpeta and sometimes at festival time exported to Guwahati and other places. The average weight of Goiral is about 2, 3 kg, the selling price Rs.1000 per kg directly from the river side. The town market price is higher at Rs. 1200/kg and above.

The fisherman prepares separate fishing nets special for Goiral fish, using different tools for fishing. The nets are about 40 to 50 feet long and as high as per depth of water typically between 8 to 12 feet. As per information from the fisherman the river has many dolphins and helps to catch. Dolphins often chase Goiral fish away on the side of the river and where the fish are caught in the fishing nets. Once a day above 30 fisherman gets a maximum 20 Goiral fish. On the side of the river, fisherman sit with the boat.  When a dolphin is spotted, all the fishermen jump up and spread their fishing nets in the water.

Deluwar Hussain is pursuing M.A in Development at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.  His areas of interest include health and nutrition, seeds conservation and rural livelihood with a special focus on flood and river erosion in Char villages.