Understanding local differences in small - scale fisheries: a comparison of two fishing settlements in Antsiranana Bay, northern Madagascar

The small-scale fishery in Antsiranana Bay, northern Madagascar, constitutes a very active industry with fishers using multiple methods based on traditional techniques. In this first study of the fishing activities in Antsiranana Bay, two villages were surveyed, both through direct observation and by means of interviews with local fishers. Antsisikala is a small zebu-farming village whose inhabitants supplement their income through small-scale fishing, whereas Ramena is primarily a fishing village that also caters for tourism. Our results show that fishers from both villages target multiple species of reef associated fish as well as invertebrates, and use a variety of fishing gears including hook and line, gill nets, beach seine nets, spearguns and traps. There were significant differences in the types of fishing gear preferentially used and catch sizes between the two villages, as well as in opinions regarding possible measures to utilise the marine resources more sustainably. We therefore stress the importance of understanding the local differences between small-scale fisheries and their impacts on the reef in order to design more effective management strategies