At the mouth of the Marowijne River, George Awankaroe, Jossmet Shanaupe, and local project coordinator Roberto Maleko worked last week to survey the fishing areas of Christiaankondre and Langamankondre (Galibi).
Monitoring of changes in fishing grounds, water levels, coastlines, and fish stocks will be done in addition to mapping the fishing grounds. In addition to other things, fishermen can record the quantity and type of fish they capture. At VIDS, Awankaroe is in charge of mapping Indigenous lands, while Shanaupe receives on-the-job training.
According to a news release from the VIDS, charting the local fishing grounds is crucial to preserving the food supply in Galibi and the way of life of the locals. Village councils, fishermen, men, women, and children are all involved in developing guidelines for the sustainable management of traditional fishing grounds. The VIDS recommends that young people participate in particular to help them learn the value of and develop a passion for fishing.
The food security and economic well-being of the Christiaankondre and Langamankondre villages depend on fishing. In Albina and St. Laurent (French Guiana), fish is sold fresh, smoked, dried, and salted, and many people rely on this income for survival.
According to the VIDS, there have been fewer and fewer fish catches in recent years. The residents blame overfishing by SKM boats from Guyana, which fill the sea with massive trawl nets. Upstream of the Marowijne River, gold mining also contaminates the water. Additionally, sandbanks and the coastline have changed. Galibi is losing ground, and the first structures have already been approached by the rising water line.
