Delivering transparency in fisheries: Madagascar publishes vessel lists

The Government of Madagascar has taken an important step towards fisheries transparency by publishing a list of industrial vessels authorised to fish in the country’s waters. This list, detailing 39 vessels permitted to catch shrimp for the 2022 season, is the latest in a series of commitments aimed at securing a more sustainable future for fisheries in the island nation.  Blue Ventures recently highlighted this positive news story from Madagascar.

In recent months, Madagascar has cracked down on destructive bottom trawling in coastal waters and become the fifth country to join the Fisheries Transparency Initiative, the leading global standard for fisheries transparency and participation. Fisheries transparency has rocketed up the oceans agenda in recent years and is widely considered crucial to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 to protect life underwater.

“Increasing the availability of credible and accurate fisheries data is the foundation on which responsive and inclusive fisheries management is built. It’s central to efforts to rebuild fisheries, restore ocean life and build lasting pathways to prosperity for fishing communities,” said Dr Hajaniaina Ratsimbazafy, Madagascar Conservation Director for Blue Ventures.

Around the world, more than one billion people rely on fish for their main source of protein, and hundreds of millions depend on fishing for their livelihoods.

Yet at a time when a growing global population needs sustainable, low-carbon protein more than ever, a third of fish stocks are overexploited. In places like Madagascar, marine environments are now more threatened by climate change and overfishing than at any point in modern history, and growing numbers of fishers – including vessels doing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing – are competing for dwindling catches.

This is why timely, clear and publicly available information about who is fishing, where and what they’re catching has never mattered more.

“We welcome these latest efforts to advance fisheries transparency in Madagascar”,  said Annie Tourette, Blue Ventures Head of Advocacy. “Better information improves public participation and decision-making and ultimately delivers better management and a sustainable future for marine resources and the communities who rely on them.”