One-Legged Fisherman - Vivian Duval: "At Sea, I Am Free"

At 62 years old, Vivian Duval is about to turn an important page in his life. After spending 42 years at sea, he has decided to retire and hopes that the younger generation will take over.

Vivian Duval is an extraordinary fisherman: he is a one-legged man. After an accident on his way to work, he lost part of his leg. "I made a mistake. I crossed the road in front of a truck and became a one-legged man. But I never gave up," he recalls. Indeed, just a few months later, he was back on the water.

This sea, a resident of Cap-Malheureux has known since his teenage years. He began fishing at the age of 13. "My love and passion for fishing come from my grandparents. They weren't professionals, but they loved to fish. My grandmother even knew how to make fishing nets," he shares.

He gradually trained and at 17, he became a "worker". It was under the guidance of his then-boss, Jérôme Jean Pierre, that he truly learned the trade, practicing trap fishing. "He often scolded me, but I had to learn; I had to figure things out," he says.

Passing on His Knowledge

Today, after more than four decades at sea – precisely 42 years – Vivian Duval is considering retirement.

"My strength is diminishing. I sometimes have knee pain, and age is catching up with me. It's time for the young ones to take over. I learned when I was young too. Now it's their turn," he states.

But is the next generation ready? Vivian Duval admits his concerns: "I want to pass on my knowledge to the youth, but few of them want to embrace this profession. Waking up very early, gathering seaweed in the afternoon, returning at 6 PM... Today's youth do not accept this lifestyle."

He acknowledges that the job is tough, especially in winter due to weather conditions. Yet, he maintains a deep attachment to fishing, particularly trap fishing, a method that is becoming increasingly abandoned. "This profession is fading away. I invite young people to come to us, my colleague Gérald and me. We can show them. There is a future in this profession; you just need to have the will," he asserts.

However, he cannot help but draw a parallel between the dwindling fish in the sea and the gradual disappearance of young people from the profession. "Fish are becoming scarcer, and so are fishermen. Soon, only the old ones will remain," he laments.

What He Said About...

...the sea: "For me, the sea means freedom. I feel more comfortable on the water than on land. At sea, I am free. Even if I fall, I won’t get hurt. On land, it’s riskier for me."

...his best memory at sea: "Fishing at night. But sometimes, even a beautiful moment can turn into a nightmare. One evening, the sky was completely overcast. We couldn’t see anything, not even the land. It was total darkness. I was scared that day, so scared I was shaking."

...his worst memory at sea: "That was four years ago. It was raining heavily. At sea, rain is more dangerous than wind. We couldn’t see anything; we couldn’t distinguish the coast. When the sun came back, we realized we were drifting towards Madagascar, but fortunately, we managed to return."

...on courage: "Courage comes from within. It all happens in the mind. You must always stay positive. If you think negatively, you’ll sink. No matter who you are, mental strength makes all the difference."

...on the scourge of drugs: "Many young people prefer the easy way out. Drugs seem more accessible to them. But it causes immense suffering for their parents."

At Sea by 4:30 AM

Every morning, Vivian Duval’s routine is well-established. "I wake up very early and prepare my coffee. My friend picks me up to take me to the dock. Once on the boat, we tie up seaweed and then head out to sea. Work starts at 4:30 AM. There’s no set time to return; sometimes it’s 2 PM, 3 PM, or even later, depending on the current or visibility. If the water is murky, we can’t find the traps, and we have to search for them. So we come back later," he explains.

His Message to Mauritians

Today, Vivian Duval wishes to share a message of hope: "I lost a leg, but I have always stayed positive. I am strong in my mind and don’t give up easily. This is my way of showing others with disabilities that we must always move forward."