Some more updates

Hi guys,

I thought I will make a post about how a normal day for us looks like in Sao Vicente, so here it is :-)

Usually we leave Mindelo harbor with our boat by 5:30-6 in the morning. After 2 hours we arrive in Baia das Gatas, the bay with our first receiver line. Day work is receiver work, so we are diving to recover the receivers, download the data and replace the batteries. At around 5pm, close to sunset, we start fishing. Fishing usually happens till 3-4 am. Then we get some sleep on the boat. Next day we lift the anchor at around 7am and start working on the receivers again. For Santa Luzia we have to anchor at the island for a couple of days. Work looks similar. If we are not on the boat we organize things: dive equipment, food, drinks and bait from the local fish market (squid and mackerel). Also we go to fishing villages and talk to local fishermen, asking on specific species they caught and if they have seen any changes in sharks and why they think the numbers drop. The locals are super welcoming and friendly, usually they invite you for something, beers or food :-) Also in our free time we try to observe international longliners landing their catch, this is quite difficult as the guards will not let you anywhere close to the boats. In Maio days look very different. Here we almost exclusively fish from the beach. We need incoming tide so this determines when we need to go fishing. At the moment we leave at noon :-) and can fish till its dark. After a 40 min drive to Praia Real Nature Reserve we arrive at the beach. It is (although not 100% official yet) a shark no-take zone, meaning shark fishing is prohibited :-) We are part of the management plan here trying to show the value of this area and to monitor the populations. Yesterday toursits were fishing for sharks, we called the police and they came :-) I am not sure if it is because of us but it was good to see some enforcement! Maio is also much ore relaxed, less people living on this island and the locals here are among the most friendly people I have ever meet. All kids will smile at you, everyone says hello and is interested in what we are doing. We also hire locals throughout our project to give something immediate for the communities. 

So now I will try again to upload some pictures and will be back soon with more updates :-)

Have all a great day!