The crystal-clear waters surrounding northern Madagascar are a treasure trove of marine biodiversity. Living along the coast are the Ambodivahibe, Bay of Rigny and Nosy Hara communities. While they heavily rely on small-scale fisheries, these communities struggle with extreme poverty on the daily.
Coastal challenges
The landscape of Madagascar is shadowed by the weight of economic hardship, where a staggering 70% of its people are under the national poverty threshold. Unsurprisingly, small-scale fisheries are fundamental to the food and economic security of these coastal communities.
On the rugged coastline of northwest Madagascar, the waters of Nosy Hara archipelago host numerous migrant fishers and supply important markets. While livestock rearing and agriculture also contribute to the local population’s livelihood, nearly 87% of the population rely on fishing for subsistence and income. The need for better management of fishery resources is therefore critical.
When it comes to the Bay of Rigny, the community desperately lacks active conservation management. Surveys paint a grim portrait of this region, where the survival of rare species and delicate ecosystems hang by a thread. This is due to unregulated and intense exploitation of sea turtles and coastal forests, particularly mangroves.
Policy for change
This economic hardship has led to the development of Madagascar’s “Politique Bleu” which emphasised enforcing appropriate measures for the conservation and sustainable management of fisheries. It also focused on professionalising small-scale fisheries to contribute to poverty reduction and improving the living conditions of fishers and small-scale fish farmers.
Building on this policy framework, C3 Madagascar, with the support of the Ecofish programme, has been able to set the stage for a better future.
Fostering sustainable practices
To better understand the fisheries in these areas, the first step was to gather data on fisheries and socioeconomic factors. With this valuable information in hand, they could work towards enhancing the skills of local stakeholders.
Like roadmaps guiding the way, training programs steered the community through the depths of fisheries management, marine ecosystem ecology, and sustainable practices. This data was also crucial in helping the community understand their local fisheries and the wider ecological environment.
In an inspiring display of environmental stewardship, the programme actively engaged young minds. This included equipping 240 Junior Ecoguards from 13 schools with knowledge and skills designed to deepen their understanding and commitment to environmental protection through a 2-day immersion program. Moreover, these schools received funds to independently organise awareness activities on marine biodiversity conservation within their communities.
C3 Madagascar is committed to tripling the number of marine protected areas in the country, with a specific focus on including Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs). This approach has proven to be a cost-effective, scalable, and socially acceptable solution for managing marine resources. It has also demonstrated their potential to improve food security, combat poverty, and help coastal communities adapt to climate change.
By empowering local communities, fostering responsible fishing practices, and potentially establishing LMMAs, the project promises a brighter future for both the region’s unique marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
