Abel Gruvel - L'Industrie des pêches sur la Côte occidentale d'Afrique (Du Cap Blanc au Cap de Bonne-Espérance) - 1913

This is a reference document on the history of fishing in West Africa during the colonial era.

This work provides rare, old fisheries data that may be of interest to biologists, environmental historians, or researchers in maritime economics.

It sheds light on how fishing was perceived as a strategic resource by colonial administrations.

It contains:
- 44 figures in the text or full-page + 24 plates (with approximately 61 photographic illustrations)

- Its bibliography and references make it a starting point for further research on fishing in West Africa.

Main content and themes:

1- Geographical and fisheries study:
The book deals with fishing on the West African coast, from Cape Blanc (Mauritania) to the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), covering a very large coastal area.

It examines the distribution of fishing areas, the species exploited, as well as the “banks” (fishing areas) with both a scientific and economic approach.

2-Indigenous and modern fishing techniques:
Abel Gruvel describes the traditional fishing methods used by local populations (nets, indigenous gear) as well as the possibilities for industrialization.

It also analyzes the “original fishing methods and gear used by the “natives” according to mission reports.

3- Biological Resources
The book lists the main edible fish, crustaceans and molluscs, their abundance, their value, and how these resources can be used for industry.

It contains numerical and statistical data, as well as empirical observations, from the exploratory missions that Gruvel conducted.

4- Socio-economic and colonial aspects:
It addresses legislative issues: how colonial administrations could structure or regulate fishing to develop a profitable industry.

Gruvel does not limit himself to a technical approach: he also considers the strategic value of fisheries for the colonies, in connection with the colonial policy of the time.

5- Foresight and development:
It offers recommendations for the future development of fishing in these regions: sustainable exploitation, investments, infrastructure, training of fishermen.

Binding: Soft cover
Number of pages: 190
- Dimensions: 25.5 × 16.8 cm

Condition: Good, interior free of annotations and dog-eared pages, no foxing. Pages slightly browned. Cover protected by a removable transparent film. Corners rubbed, slight loss at the top and bottom of the spine.
See the photos included in the description.

It will be delivered in a carefully packaged, robust, and tracked package.