fishing

how is everyone?

i want to show you some more pics from the beach...the people at the beach are fishermen. the first day i was wondering because so many men would pull a rope from the ocean - i did not know what was happening. it turned out they were fishing - in a way i have never seen before. a boat brings the net out to the ocean. in the middle the net is closed, and on both sides it is connected to a rope in the lenght of 150 yards. these 2 ropes go to 2 opposite ends of the beach - and afterwards the people pull it in. it takes them about 4 hours, and it is really hard work. its difficult to describe, hope it will be better to understand with pics!
another problem these local fishermen face are european fisherboats who fish a few miles outside in the deep ocean. they have huge ships, big nets, they are able to fish continuosly for some weeks, catch many fish before it can produce again,... they even get funds from the EU (from all our tax money - to secure workplaces in europe. they do not care that you destroy work places in africa like this). these big boats buy the fishing licences from the african states because there is not enough fish left at the shores of europe. so they buy the licences to fish infront of african shores - from corrupt governments. the governments are supposed to compensate the fishermen for the loss they face, but the money disappears... life isnt easy.

see some pics!

nice beach...plastic everywhere though

good morning!

at the place where i stayed at keta (emancipation beach - a good option if you are there)

so from early morning onwards you see people fishing. i try to show the whole fishing process in pictures so that it will be easier to understand.

these ropes get connected to both sides of the net

bringing the net in preperation to going to the ocean

the end closer to us is closed - here the fish is caught. more behind it opens up - and at the other end there is a rope each (150 yards)

with the boat they bring the net outside

preparing for fishing

men power

also bringing the net outside is hard work - and dangerous

after the net is out in the ocean, the ropes come back to the beach. now the fishermen on the beach pull it in. the fish enters into the last end and is caught there. since it is very difficult to pull the ned inside, and therefore very slow, many fish manage to escape again before the net is brought to the shore.

everywhere on the beach you see groups of men like this

i worked with them for some time - really hard work

the rope goes far into the ocean

they put sticks like this into the ground, and pull the rope untill it gets there. then they connect it and there is a small rest. later a new poll is hammered into the ground maybe 200 metres away and the work starts again.

the people move into one direction - and get closer to the other group from the same net. at a point they meet and then they pull it out together.

the two groups have met - and now they pull the net out

every helping hand is welcome...

...while the market momen already wait for fresh fish

here you see the last end of the net swimming

...almost done...

the fish is in

...and just a few minutes later a delicious meal was ready for me!!!

some aliens

"just" sunset

in keta...

...many houses are in a poor condition

back in accra i saw this car - with a frensh numberplate. nice, well done! safe journey

from accra i went back to the north and back to work.

once a month we organize quiz competitions for the school children in the village. this is for the primary school...

...and the junior high school

local dancers with drummers

good luck in australia, baba!!

have a nice sunday!