“To live with the sea”
Towards community-centred
marine conservation in
Andavadoaka
Where is Andavadoaka?
Southwest Madagascar
• 4th largest reef system in the
world
• Over 500 species of fish and
coral
• Livelihood and cultural identity of
Vezo people
• 70,000 people depend on marine
resources
• Biologically diverse yet least
studied marine ecosystems
Unsustainable fishing
• Population growth
• Rapid expansion of
fisheries and
businesses
• External fishing
pressures
• Destructive gear for
fishing
Alternative Livelihoods
• Community Eco-lodge
• Sea Cucumber Farming
• Eco-guide Training
• Fish Aggregation Devices
• Artisanal crafts
• Whale-watching platform
Protected areas
Andavadoaka’s goal
• Sustainable use and
protection of marine
resources:
– Poverty reduction
– Biodiversity conservation
Our first community-run marine
no take zone (2004-2005)
Economic importance of Andavadoaka's octopus fishery
% weight and revenue composition of target species
purchased from fishers in Andavadoaka, 2004
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
OCTOPUS
SQUID
TUNA
% of total weight
OTHER
FINFISH
LOBSTER
CRAB
% of total revenue
SHRIMP
The first reserve
• 200 ha reef flat surrounding
Nosy Fasy island
– Closed for 7 months from
Nov-2004
– Local law ‘Dina’ created to
protect NTZ
– Guardian hired by fishers
to prevent poaching
Initial conclusions and
management implications
• Short term closures =
increase in the size and
number of octopus
• Increasing revenue for octopus
fishers
• Increasing reproductive output
CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL
POLICY
• Government introduced national NTZ’s for
octopus.
Expansion; evolution; replication
2004: 1 octopus no-take
zone, 1 fishery, 1 village,
0.2 sq km
2007: 24 zones:
multiple uses, multiple
habitats, 23 villages,
800 sq km
Velondriake
‘to live
with the sea’
- Maintain
ecosystem
functioning that
underpins vital
resources
- Promote
ecotourism
- Sustainable
fisheries
management
- Maintain or
Increase
catches
- Insure
against
management
failure
- Simplify
management
24 Villages
3 Committees
Groupe Nord
(Vezo Milagnoriake)
Groupe Centre
(Milasoa)
Groupe Sud
(Fagnemotse)
24 Villages
3 Committees
Nov 04 - May 05
1 NTZ:
- Nosy Fasy
Groupe Nord
(Vezo Milagnoriake)
Groupe Centre
(Milasoa)
Groupe Sud
(Fagnemotse)
24 Villages
3 Committees
Nov 05 to Apr 06
3 NTZs:
Groupe Nord
(Vezo Milagnoriake)
- Nosy Fasy
Groupe Centre
(Milasoa)
- Ampisorogna
Groupe Sud
(Fagnemotse)
- Nosy Masay
24 Villages
3 Committees
Post Oct 06:
-NTZs
Groupe Nord
(Vezo Milagnoriake)
Groupe Centre
(Milasoa)
Groupe Sud
(Fagnemotse)
24 Villages
3 Committees
Post Oct 06:
-NTZs
-MPAs
Groupe Nord
(Vezo Milagnoriake)
Groupe Centre
(Milasoa)
Groupe Sud
(Fagnemotse)
24 Villages
3 Committees
Post Oct 06:
-NTZs
-MPAs
-Special areas
Groupe Nord
(Vezo Milagnoriake)
Groupe Centre
(Milasoa)
Groupe Sud
(Fagnemotse)
CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL
POLICY
• The velondriake protected area has been
used as a model by the government for
the implementation of the PACP project to
support all fishing communities in 50
coastal villages in South West region of
Madagascar.
Conclusion
• Andavadoaka has recognised
environmental problems and is taking
steps to manage its own resources
•
-
Focus on capacity building and education
Environmental education
Women’s Association
Technical management support
Our concerns
• Enforcement & legislation
• Outside commercial interest in
community natural resources
beyond community control
– Commercial trawlers
– “Blue Reef” luxury hotel
development project
Misaotra Bevata!
Blue Ventures Conservation
Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines, Universite de Toliara
Wildlife Conservation Society
Copefrito, Toliara