‘Chinese take everything’: fishy business deal in Madagascar, one of the world’s poorest countries
- New fisheries deal with Chinese investors has provoked an outcry on the island where malnutrition is widespread
- Fishing minister claims he was not even briefed on the deal
The sun glistens on waves lapping against wooden fishing boats as their sails ripple in the breeze coming off the Indian Ocean.
Nearby a young man with a diving mask bobs below the water’s surface armed with a stick to lure his catch into a net while also trying to snare fish on a nylon line.
In Anakao, a traditional fishing community in southwest Madagascar, the community known as Vezo – which means “rowing strength” – has fished for generations.
But the arrival last year of six fishing trawlers off the coast, and a subsequent deal between a local private body that promotes Madagascan businesses and Chinese investors, have stirred anger in recent months, at a time when the country is going to the polls in presidential elections.
“If this carries on, we’ll be eating sand,” warned Fulgence, a fisherman in Anakao.
He does not dare venture out when the six Chinese vessels are at sea, claiming that a number of his nets have been cut.
“The Chinese take everything and chuck the little dead fish back into the sea,” complained Marco Randrianjaka, echoing the grievances of many of his fellow seafarers.
