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Tofo update

The wet, windy and disagreeable weather in Inhambane has abated. But only after sending holidaymakers packing early, leaving us in a quiet and docile Tofo town.
The diving has been excellent as the water warmed up again. Master Jack came back from a fishing trip with a hatch full of decent yellowfin.
The waves out front of Tofo have been peeling for days – longboarders having a feast.
The locals are back to the simple life – families harvesting shellfish together, kids scraping for baitworm, divers shooting fish…
A few pics from over the past few days…

Family harvesting together at Praia da Conguina

Children collecting seafood, or Marisco, as it’s known here…

The above pictured kids collection of shoes and fishing equipment…

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The Real Deal

Subsistence fishermen have been working the Umzimkulu River for decades. As the condition of the river has deteriorated their lot has been reduced year after year. But there is something very noble about their ignoble existence. Targeting barbel chiefly…they also catch rock salmon (mangrove jack), grunter, perch, salmon and even gamefish like kingfish and garrick. Sometimes shad move into the river and the bounty makes for celebrating.
But mainly…it is hard going.
Pollution.
Brown water.
Cold.
Wind.
Hours with no bites…
Yet what else could they do? Their lifestyle is all they have. Their fishing is all they have. The Umzimkulu is all they have.
Respect to the subsistence fishermen of the mighty Umzimkulu…

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