+ + David Luraschi + +
Flying to Nosy Be, a small island off Madagascar.
While snorkelling one day I came across a small group of local fishermen, they were living on the beach sharing as a shelter, a little hut. One should know that this is right after the Ivan storm hit the island pretty hard and a lot of people’s houses were seriously damaged and obsolete.
When I asked what they were fishing, they invited me onto one of the boats.
After staring at the water for about a half an hour and throwing crumbs of bred in, they determine the area to fish. They paddle slowly in a circle while releasing the net.
Once the circle is complete, the boat is stationed.
A diver then jumps into the water, observes the net, pulls and twists it (underwater) so there is no gap left for the fish to escape.
He then signals to the others while keeping on eye to make sure the net won’t untangle.
Slowly, the crew pulls the net onto the boat and collects the catch.
Various amounts of fish are caught, including a few over sized calamari.
Back on the beach, the fish is separated and put into buckets before it is sent out to the closest market. The unwanted fish or what cannot be sold is kept for lunch. This photo shows about 30 kg of fish, which is worth 12 Euros in Nosy Be; half will be collected by the owner of the car who will transport the fish to the market.
The average salary in Madagascar is about 40 Euros a month. These guys were explaining that they were saving money in order to buy a net with smaller holes, as this would allow them to catch more and therefore make a better living. Despite the poor conditions and income, the crew is a happy one, joking all throughout the day.
Images and words by David Luraschi. Urbi et Orbi © 2008-2009.
Tags: Madagascar, Visual+Visuel