Exclusive: Infant fishing in Angola. Sustainable or Unsustainable? An article by Sofonie Dala
Excessive marine fishing damages the ecosystem. Are these children under control?
Control and respect for the specific season for capturing fish and its rational use are the recommended ways to preserve the ecosystem, aiming at sustainable development. On the other hand, uncontrolled overfishing has considerably harmed the aquatic ecosystem, particularly fish.
These boys are collecting some juvenile fish and crabs that are still alive, but trapped in the net inside the boat. Next they are using a knife to kill them in order to facilitate their collection.
They are catching Sardina pilchardus and crabs. It is observed that the children are doing this without the supervision of any adult fisherman.
The type of fishing most used in Angola is the split fishing known as mu-tuco, carried out with non-recommended meshes. The consequence is the capture of juvenile fish, unfit for consumption.
Hi!
Have you been fishing for many years?
Yes.
When you fish, what do you do with the fish. Do you sell or eat them?
we sell them.
Do you raise a large sum of money as a result of the sale?
Yes
Wow, this is good.
Do you know how to swim?
yes we know.
How old are you?
I am 14 and he is nine years old.
Is this a boat or canoe?
This is a canoe.
Is that the net you guys use to fish?
Yes
This fish net is very big!
Boy where is the fish? come to show me this fish!
The abandonment of fishing artefacts near lakes and rivers continue to kill fish and the use of mosquito nets to catch small fish unsuitable for fishing, are other consequences of the use of non-recommended mesh.
These children are showing the fish and crabs they collected. What a pity that they cut off the crab's arms.
There is an urgent need to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ANGOLA
PER CAPITA FISH CONSUMPTION IN THE COUNTRY
- Overall, fish consumption has increased for the 22 kg in per capita consumption in 2015;
- Largely above the minimum recommended by WHO and FAO fixed at 12 kg/year;
- In the project's impact communities, consumption per capita is not yet known; more specifically.
- In the most productive regions, consumption is widely above average;
SPECIES IDENTIFICATION
The main species most caught in Angola:
- Small pelagic fish (horse mackerel, sardinella, mackerel, and the sardine of the kingdom);
- Large pelagic fish (Tuna and similar, and sharks);
- Demersal or bottom fish (Cachucho and similar, croakers, groupers, hake and grunts);
- Crustaceans (Lobster, coastal prawn, shrimp and crab of depth);
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