Opportunity costs of growth-overfishing : socioeconomic evaluation of the beach-seine fishery, Bay of Ranobe, Madagascar

Beach-seine fishing is a technique that has been used for thousands of years. With the advent of plastic monofilament and mosquito netting, a modern-day beach-seine is, ostensibly, one of the most destructive and non-selective fishing gears. As beach-seines are hauled-in from shore, intertidal seagrass beds are often damaged, which play an important role in providing food and shelter to juvenile fishes. In the Bay of Ranobe the technique often employed by newly-established unskilled fishermen is beach-seining. This research used a combination of ecological and socioeconomic assessments to determine and describe the relative importance and impact of the beach-seine fishery for the Bay of Ranobe area. The findings of this research indicated that beach-seine techniques were used predominantly by migrant people from tribes that were not traditionally reliant on sustenance fishing. The analysis of the beach-seine catch showed to be mostly juvenile fishes. Anecdotal evidence suggests overall catches have been declining in the Bay of Ranobe due to heavy fishing pressure. Targeting juvenile fishes may exacerbate the problem and significantly impair fish stock recovery. An understanding of the socioeconomic importance and ecological impact of beach-seining activities will provide governmental and non-governmental organizations with the necessary information to develop mitigation strategies and help with ensuring the long-term stability of fish stocks in the Bay of Ranobe