Fishing equipment distributed to fishermen for sustainable practices that respect marine ecosystems

Posted on 12 September 2023

Fishing is a vital source of livelihood for many coastal communities around the world.

However, the expansion of fishing efforts, fuelled by factors such as an increase in the number of fishermen, the search for alternative livelihoods by farmers and herders due to insufficient harvests, as well as unfavorable climatic conditions, are exerting constant pressure on fragile marine ecosystems. This pressure can lead to irreversible degradation of these ecosystems, jeopardizing the livelihoods of fishermen and marine biodiversity.

Coastal communities are thus trained in sustainable practices and provided with appropriate equipment for fishing that respects marine ecosystems. From August 22 to September 6, 2023, selective fishing equipment was distributed in 17 Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs), covering 31 villages and 2 villages located near the Tsimanampetsotse marine reserve. The aim is to promote sustainable fishing practices within coastal communities, and to raise awareness of their use. The equipment distributed is specially designed for longline fishing. A longline is a fishing instrument made up of several lengths of nylon thread and one or more hooks. The specific species of fish that can be caught with different hooks varies according to the size of the hook and the depth at which anglers will be fishing. These selective offshore fishing gears enable anglers to target specific fish species while minimizing unwanted by-catches. For example, a n°4 hook is generally used to fish for tuna and barracuda and other medium to large species, while a n°6 hook is more suited to fishing for capitaine, snapper or grouper.

This practice helps conserve fish stocks and marine biodiversity, and improves fishing profitability by avoiding the capture of small or unmarketable species. By limiting by-catches and non-targeted catches, selective fishing also helps preserve the balance of fish populations and minimize disturbance to ecosystems. This reduces pressure on reef ecosystems, which in turn supports long-term marine conservation.

To ensure that the fishing equipment to be distributed complied with current regulations, teams from the Centre de Surveillance de la Pêche (CSP) and DRPEB worked closely with anglers using the longline technique in selecting the equipment. They were also present during distribution. This had a significant impact, reaching nearly 31 villages and involving 1,177 men and 311 women in the follow-up and transparency of the distribution. A total of 1,006 individuals benefited from this initiative implemented by WWF with financial support from KFW and MNP as part of the "Pêche Côtière Durable" project.