Posted on December, 08 2017

It is called "Belaroa" in southwestern Madagascar, and "Garigary" in Ambaro Bay. It is the crab scale, this mangrove crab fishing gear that is selective and sustainable. It is circular, with mesh size of 12 cm, and allows fishermen to catch only crabs larger than 11 cm, according to the regulations of the Ministry of Fisheries.
 
At the end of November, 131 fishermen from four villages in Ambaro Bay, including 21 women, benefited from training in the production of crab scales supported by WWF. Each fisherman was able to make four scales that are directly usable. The crab scales were made with equipment that is available in the villages and within reach of fishermen to ease the manufacture. These are recovered fishing nets, nylon ropes, corks. Only the round iron hoop, which constitutes the frame of the scale, is bought in large cities like Ambilobe.
 
The fishermen of Ambaro Bay are already reporting 6 to 10 kg of crab catches per day with this famous scale, against 5 kg in maximum with the other rudimentary fishing gear.