Surrounded by a 1 600 km coral reef (whose distance from the coast varies from a few kilometres to 65 km, for an average depth of 40 metres), New Caledonia boasts the world’s largest lagoon.This is a lagoon of approximately 24 000 km², inhabited by a particularly rich endemic tropical fauna. For a long time a subsistance activity, fishing is becoming an increasingly sophisticated leisure activity.
The various fishing techniques
Line fishing
While the hand held line fishing is still practised, especially drifting or dragnetting, fishermen often use a rod. The addition of a reel enables, especially when throwing the rod out or dragnetting, to have a good stock of line, to reel in easily and to enjoy the help of a brake to tire the fish out.
You can fish on the surface, such as dragnetting, or throw out a line with a lure which imitates the fish (popper) or fly fish in the river or in deep water.
Line fishing with more than a hundred metres underwater is also practised, for the « vivaneau » for example.
The bait is also very varied ranging from fish to octopus, worms, bread or crustaceans. Lures are also often used (ropes, plastic or « Rapala »)
The nets
There are 3 types of net in New Caledonia :
- The rectilinear line which is set in place for several hours.
- The « senne » which enables the fish to be encercled.
- The castnet which is thrown by hand to capture the prey.
Pots
These are mainly used for fishing for crustaceans but some people use them in deep water for the « vivaneau ».
Lagoon fish
The « perroquet » (parrot fish) is a tropical fish. It is found extensively in New Caledonia. Its size and colours are very varied. The most beautiful specimens are the humpback parrot fish which can weigh as much as twenty kilos.
The loach comes in a great variety of sizes and colours, but the most beautiful of them is the salmon coloured variety. The largest is the mother loach which can weigh as much as 200 kilos.
Anchovies and sardines are mainly fished for by casting, to be used as bait for capturing larger fish.
You can also find lots of « picots », « dawas », red mullet, « bossus », and « becs de cane »…
Deep-water fish
The tazar is highly sought-after and prized. Long and slim, it is a fish which is built for speed and combat.
Marlins and swordfish are the noble fish of dragnet fishing. The largest specimens weigh several hundred kilos and are extraordinary fighters who can struggle for several hours before succombing and being pulled onboard a boat.
The « vivaneau » is a red fish of depths of more than 100 m, which is fished by drifting, with « palangre » or with pots.
A freshwater fish
The black bass is a freshwater fish which is only found in the Yaté lake. It is fished by rod and reel, dragnetting being forbidden from 1 January to 30 September.
The mangrove crab
The mangrove crab is thought of as a delicacy by New Caledonians who appreciate its tender, flavoursome meat accompanied by a vinaigrette, mayonnaise, or in a curry…
The crabs can be found in the mangroves where they hide in the mud between the mangrove roots. They can be caught using a net or crate. The favourite way of fishing for them is to extract them from their hole in the mud using a hook or even by hand for the most courageous.
Once the crab has been extracted, it must be caught while being careful not to be bitten and to immobilise it using a rubber strap or a coconut leaf nervure.
Marine reserves
The public authorities have realised that the lagoon could be in danger if fishing was not regulated. Since 1970, the Southern Province has set up marine reserves all over the lagoon.
These have become real maritime sanctuaries where the fish can reproduce and multiply without being bothered. Moreover, measures have been taken to reduce the industrial and urban pollution. In terms of legislation, there are now seasons when the fishing is closed depending on the species and a minimum size which must be respected as well as a maximum number of fish which can be taken per species.
New Caledonia is classified amongst the 10 top world destinations for sea fly fishing.
The New Caledonian lagoon has various possibilities as far as leisure fishing is concerned, whether it be off land or in a boat. It has a great variety of sport fish sought after by passionate fishermen from the world over (bonefish, « tarpon du Pacifique », « élops », « carangues including the famous « carangue Ignobilis »...).
The « club calédonien des pêches sportives à la mouche et au lancer extrême » (Fly and GT Fishing Club) which has 70 members has been classified club of the month May / June 2003 by the magazine « Halieutique » (fly fishing). This magazine which serves as a reference for European « flyers » has also listed New Caledonia among the 10 best destinations in the world.
Bibliography
| Supplément des Nouvelles Calédoniennes | Du jeudi 27 novembre 2003. |
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