Evidence for Fishing with Remora across the World and Archaeological Evidence from Southeast Arabia: A Case Study in Human-Animal Relations

Bones of remora are infrequently identified in archaeological assemblages yet ethnographic and historical accounts from across the world provide evidence for an innovative practice. People intentionally caught remora for use as a fishing aid, allowing them to haul in turtles, marine mammals, and other species to which remora attach themselves. Without considering historical and ethnographic evidence for remora-aided fishing, zooarchaeologists are likely to dismiss bones of remora as bycatch, when the remains might be evidence for the ingenuity of people. Documentary evidence illustrates the relationship between humans and remora was complex with people often respecting the abilities of this fish.