An assessment of local fisheries in Diego-Suarez Bay, Madagascar

either poisonous to eat (in the case of the puffer and cowfish) or had very little flesh (in the case of cornet
and three ribbon wrasse). Striped catfish (Plotosus lineatus) that were caught were placed in a hole in the
sand and covered over. This was to prevent any accidental injury caused by touching the venomous
pectoral and dorsal spines
It is worth noting that 23 great barracudas were caught in one of the catches ranging from 15 cm to 30 cm
in fork length. In another of the catches approximately 50 kilos of sardines were observed. The nets were
found to be cast at a frequency of 2 per kilometre. All fishing effort was conducted during daylight hours.
Fishing traps were seen stacked on the beach, however no observations of the fishermen deploying them
were made. Opportunistic fishing with a spear gun was also observed being carried out by the guides
during tourist boat excursions in the bay. Seine netting was observed to the principal method of fishing in
this area.
Outside of Ramena (Including Antsisikala and all other areas surveyed)
The methods used in these areas of the bay are as follows:
Method 1
Single person wooden pirogue approximately 2-2.5m in length.
Powered by a small sail, made from a rice sack and/or a wooden oar.
Small heavy objects such as rocks or scrap metal are used as anchors.
Fishing is done over a reef or on the reef edge.
Baited fishing hooks on a nylon fishing line ranging from 0.5-2mm in diameter are used.
The lines are cast over the side of the boat and are pulled up and down in small movements to attract
fish.
Any fish caught is pulled in by hand, no reel or rod is used.
Fish are placed in a plastic cool box to keep them fresh.
Method 2
Two person pirogue approximately 3-4m in length.
Powered by a small sail made from a rice sack and/or a wooden oar and/or 5HP outboard.
Line fishing as previously described is used, with both fishermen using a line.
Fishermen also used set nylon gill nets with a mesh size of 3-4cm. Nets ranged in length from 15-25m.
The top of the net had a floated headline. These are placed both parallel and perpendicular to the reef
if there is a reef crest. If the reef is gently sloping then the nets were placed above the seabed, again
parallel or perpendicular to the shoreline.
Nets are also placed over seagrass beds.
The nets are left in situ for up to 10 hours and then hauled in.
Again the catch is placed in plastic cool boxes.
The nets tended to be cast out during the late afternoon during daylight hours and were then retrieved
in the morning of the following day before sunrise.
Method 3
Large wooden boats approximately 6m in length powered by outboard engines ranging in horsepower
between 5 and 25 are used in combination with a large sail made from thick cotton. The number of
fishermen aboard a vessel of this size ranges from 2-6 people. Fishing methods observed were both
line fishing and gill net fishing. Three further methods were witnessed, 1) trolling using a thick nylon
fishing line approximately 3mm in diameter with a florescent lour, in the shape of a fish or squid with
a three pronged hook approximately three centimetres in length. The line is cast behind the moving
boat while the boat is either power by an engine or wind; 2) duck diving using snorkelling equipment
to collect edible sea cucumbers and 3) spear gun fishing.
Fishermen using all of the above methods had easy access to the shore, as all the reefs are coastal fringing
reefs or island fringing reefs. This allows them to be able to fish and then camp close to their fishing
ground, reducing their time at sea travelling and increasing their time fishing.
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