This is an authorized adaptation in English of a post in French by @marc-allaria: LA LONGUE ROUTE DE MAESHA • Aigrettes Garzettes du Cap Vert
As my primary language is not English, there are probably some mistakes in this post.
All photographs by @marc-allaria
MAESHA'S LONG ROAD
CABO VERDE
-LITTLE EGRETS-
Traditionally, in Capo Verde, catching for pelagic fish or groundfish is done using small fish caught near the beaches. These small fish live in groups of several hundred close to the surface. With a little height, it is easy to discern the large black spots these schools of fish formed.
The black spots in the bay are schools of small fish used that can be used as bait
In Capo Verde, the fishermen traditionally capture these prey with a fishing rod. No bait is needed for this: a naked hook is enough to catch them.
Capture of bait using fishing rods
For a long time, this fishing technique allowed to maintain the stock of bait, and fishermen could find it all year round. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing number of tourist hotels increased considerably the demand for fish. So the fishermen needed more bait so that they could increase the number of fishing days. In recent years, the capture of bait with a net has therefore become predominant. The result is that it has considerably reduced bait stocks.
Capture of bait using nets
So that they could be used regularly throughout the week, the baits are kept alive in huge traps in the water. This presence of fish in an enclosed space so close to the surface also interests another type of fishermen: the little egrets!
Little Egret
Little egrets, or Egretta garzetta, are a species of small herons.
The [] name comes from the Provençal French Aigrette, "egret", a diminutive of Aigron, "heron". The species epithet garzetta is from the Italian name for this bird, garzetta or sgarzetta.
[Wiki pedia]
Keepers of the traps
The little egrets quickly understood the windfall that these fish traps presented to them. Everywhere in Cabo Verde, it is very common to see little egrets perched on the edge of the traps and eat fish that even a restaurant would not present so fresh!
Waiting to eat
Flying little egret
Over-exploiting a natural resource is going to lead to trouble, but you can understand people trying to make a living.
We get those little egrets around here in the UK. Very pretty birds, but I have not managed to get a good picture of one yet. I need more patience as @papilloncharity has taught me.
Yes you're right. But this situation is due to increasing of tourists here.
Your friend is right, we need to be patient to get a good photo of bird ;-)
Tourism can be great, but it puts pressure on the local environment. We have to find a balance that is sustainable and allows the locals to get by.
Hard to explain that to big companies as TUI for example. Here (Cabo verde) there is 1-2 days of rain a year... And, there is also so many huge hotel which have each one their one gig swimming poolsss at only 50m of the sea... Money has all rights, and it will work like this as long as people will accept to pay for this kind of holidays. Sad reality.
Hahaha, doubt that I can teach you anything Sir @steevc.
But to let you know that I am posting an Egret in the ocean right now.
Blessings!
I always love the fact that you apologise for any potential mistakes yet your English is superb!
The fun of fishing on the surface of the sea is different and if it is with a toler then it is even better.Four fish is my favorite food.
Merci pour les traductions. @tipu curate
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Beautiful photography by @marc-allaria
Thank you a lot
Wow!!!! I saw some amazing photography after a while. you captured the scenery at right time and at right angle. Love to stay with you ,sir.
Thank you
Bonjour Vincent, voici un autre récit ici : https://hive.blog/story/@marc-allaria/la-longue-route-de-maesha-randonnees-a-sao-nicolau @vcelier