Madagascar

Traditional fishing is a way of life in Madagascar. AOS works with the fishing communities whose livelihood is threatened by globalisation.

An estimated 100,000 traditional fishers live and work in 1,250 coastal communities in Madagascar. This population is growing in number. In southern and mid-western parts of the Island, agriculture is practically non-existent. Fishing is the only means of survival.

Traditional fishers use wooden dug-outs called pirogues and nets. Pirogues are powered by oars. Some fishers have small motorboats of less than 50 CV. In Madagascar, this type of fishing is considered artesanal fishing. Traditional and artesanal fishers work at a distance of no more than 10Km from the coast. This small-scale fishing supplies 70% of the national fish consumption.

Among coastal communities being “a fisher” is a statement of natural identity and not just a profession. Young children are taken out in pirogues to learn the family craft. And yet traditional fishing is still classified as an “informal sector”, its practitioners are “persons without profession”. Without recognition of their craft, traditional fishers do not benefit from subsidies or public infrastructure.

Industrial fishing, using boats of more than 50CV, poses a threat to coastal communities. National industrial fishing is concentrated on shrimp in coastal areas and further shrimp and other catches in deeper waters. It is officially acknowledged that most of the national shrimp catch comes from within the 2-mile (less than 4km) coastal zone.

It is also acknowledged that national industrial fishing produces 30,000 tons of “by catch” every year. “By catch” is the name for the rejected catch which is thrown back, dead and useless, to the sea. This depletes the resources available to traditional fishers who do not have the option of moving to new waters.

The challenge of globalisation

In deeper waters, beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast, industrial fishing boats carry radars, sonars and echo sounders. Such sophisticated equipment is used all around the world. But it is especially prevalent in the economic exclusion zones of developing countries. These enter into agreements which allow affluent countries to exploit their fish stocks.

Madagascar is one of 22 countries which has a bilateral fishing agreement with the European Union. According to the European Union, these are reciprocal arrangements:

With other countries, in particular African and Indian Ocean countries and Greenland, which do not fully exploit their fishery resources, the Community pays a financial contribution for access to their fishing zones and establishes targeted actions with the partners with a view to supporting their fisheries sector and contributing to sustainable fisheries in their waters.

European Union, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs 4.2

Fishing is one of the most international economic sectors. The FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing offers some protection of the rights of traditional fishers, for example priority access to resources and fishing zones. Various regional bodies exist to implement these agreements. The challenge for the traditional fishing communities of Madagascar is making their voices heard.

Félix Randrianasoavina, the National Director of the Apostleship of the Sea in Madagascar says:

“To bring new ideas to ancient, traditional fishing, improving working conditions and promoting human welfare: these are the priorities for Madagascar, a country on the road to development. But these are not the priorities of globalisation.”

History of AOS Madagascar

The work of AOS Madagascar began with traditional fishers in Toamasina (formerly Tamatave) Madagascar’s largest port. In 1973 Fr François Le Gall was appointed Chaplain to the People of the Sea. He worked among traditional fishers, helping them to form an association. This led to the establishment of the first Apostleship of the Sea Centre in Madagascar.

AOS Madagascar wanted traditional fishers to understand both their importance and their responsibilities: at sea, in the family and in society. There were meeting at the Apostleship of the Sea Centre and home visits; and AOS pastoral workers went down to the Toamasina beach to talk to the fishers as they put out or returned in their pirogues.

Gradually the work of AOS Madagascar expanded to include the commercial and industrial fishing sectors. Together with partner organisations, such as the French Comité Catholique contre le Faim et pour le Développement, AOS Madagascar was instrumental in developing maritime associations and collectives including:

COMM: Collective of Malgache Maritime Organisations
FECPAMA: Christian Federation of Artisanal Fishermen of Madagascar
PMM: Malgache Maritime Programme

AOS Madagascar today

AOS Madagascar continues to work with all sections of the Madagascan maritime community. Professional support includes

facilitating co-operation with unions and professional bodies

intervening with shipowners and port authorities in disputes

offerring professional training

Many of those who have benefitted from the training offerred by AOS go on to become officers in the merchant marine. For some, bursaries have been procured for more advanced studies in Europe.

Work among traditional fishing communities continues to be central to AOS Madagascar. Support for such communities includes

identifying and training community leaders

facilitating participation in national and international conferences

AOS Madagascar also works with the wives of fishers, encouraging them to form associations. Advice and support are given to fishers’ wives who make their living by selling fishing produce. For the children of the fishing communities, AOS Madagascar offers activities and, more importantly, schooling.

Spiritual development of fishers

There is no evangelisation that does not include human development.

These were the words of Fr Le Gall at the founding of AOS Madagascar in 1973.

A final reflection from Félix Randrianasoavina, current National Director of AOS Madagascar:

Perhaps it is because of the deep spiritual quality of traditional fishermen that Christ built His Church by choosing His first apostles from among fishermen.

Children of traditional fishers receive schooling from AOS Madagascar.

click here to read about National Maritime Day 2007 in Madagascar