By Aina Le Don Nomenisoa, José Randrianandrasana and Gildas Todinanahary
The first National Symposium on Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Protection in Madagascar took place in Toliara on December 2-3. Organized by the Fishery and Marine Science Institute of the University of Toliara (IH.SM), with funding support from the Malagasy Foundation for Protected Areas and Biodiversity (FAPBM) and the Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA). The Symposium was organized under the patronage of Madagascar Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, and brought together more than 120 representatives of stakeholders, including academic researchers, experts, funders, Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers including NGOs, local authorities, and communities. The main objective was to promote sustainable strategies to safeguard Madagascar’s marine ecosystems, which are vital for both the regional, national economy and local livelihoods. The driving question was: What model can ensure the sustainable management of marine biodiversity and the sustainable development of economic activities in Madagascar’s marine areas?
Key Highlights and Discussions
The symposium featured insights from 22 scientific experts and managers, while 27 young researchers presented posters aligned with the event’s theme. Participants engaged in three key panels, which framed the discussions:
1. The State of Conservation of Marine Resources and Biodiversity in Madagascar
2. MPAs and Locally managed marine areas (LMMAs) with Local Communities: Models for Effective and Sustainable Management of Fisheries Resources
3. Economic Values and Financing of MPAs in Madagascar, and the Role of the Private Sector
Current Challenges and Conservation Efforts
The symposium highlighted the richness and diversity of the participants, who engaged in meaningful discussions about the challenges of marine conservation and the solutions to address them. It was emphasized that the country’s marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, are under increasing pressure due to human activities such as illegal fishing, coastal infrastructure development, and land reclamation. Despite these threats, conservation efforts such as coral based restoration and seagrass restoration have shown promising results, although significant challenges remain.One major issue discussed was the lack of unified data and fragmented management of marine areas, which hinders informed decision-making. Madagascar’s marine biodiversity is based on the little-known richness of the marine areas around the island, which are home to over 4000 species of fish, 400 species of scleractinians, among others. It is now urgent to take stock of management models that are better adapted to the local context, and more effective for conservation while benefiting the local economy.
The Large-Scale Seagrass Mapping and Management Initiative (LaSMMI) addresses challenges caused by inconsistent seagrass data, aiming to enhance understanding and sustainable management. Through collaboration with scientists, authorities, communities, and stakeholders, the project seeks to create a comprehensive spatial database for the Western Indian Ocean region. Target countries—Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar—are actively involved in aligning methodologies, prioritizing areas for data collection, and establishing data-sharing processes, supported by partners like The Pew Charitable Trusts, WIOMSA, Nairobi Convention, IUCN, KMFRI and IH.SM.
Fisheries and Genetic Research
Another key theme was the role of small-scale fishing in Madagascar’s economy. While small-scale fisheries significantly contribute to the sector, they are declining due to overfishing and reduced yields, with a risk of collapse within the next couple of decades or years. Improving fisheries management, fostering innovation, and increasing community involvement were identified as priorities to ensure sustainability.
The symposium also addressed the importance of genetic research in sustainable marine resource management. Genetic connectivity among marine populations is critical for maintaining biodiversity and resilience. A scientific approach that incorporates genetic considerations can help avoid overexploitation and ensure sustainable stock management.
Governance of MPAs and LMMAs
The evolution and challenges of MPAs in Madagascar were another focus. Despite their positive impact on conservation, MPAs face governance issues and conflicts of interest. Recommendations included decentralizing resource management, integrating traditional ecological knowledge, and involving local communities in decision-making processes.
Participants also explored the potential of public-private partnerships and sustainable financing mechanisms to support conservation efforts. Successful initiatives, such as mangrove carbon storage projects and eco-tourism ventures, demonstrate that conservation can be aligned with community development. MPAs like Velondriake have shown positive results through community management, including increased coral cover and innovative projects such as carbon credit schemes.
The symposium stressed the importance of local governance, women’s inclusion, and capacity-building within communities. Women’s roles in resource management were particularly highlighted, as their exclusion undermines both their well-being and the sustainability of conservation efforts. Strengthening coordination among stakeholders and improving fisheries monitoring and management mechanisms were among the key recommendations to ensure long-term sustainability.
The second day of the symposium featured discussions on MPAs, LMMAs, and the economic value of MPAs. Presentations highlighted the historical evolution of marine area management in Madagascar and its socio-environmental impacts. For example, Vezo communities, historically marginalized, face increasing pressure due to the expansion of MPAs, often driven by tourism development. Integrating local knowledge, such as traditional weather forecasting, into management models was emphasized as essential for achieving sustainable outcomes.
The session also examined community-led initiatives such as LMMAs, first introduced in 2004 in Andavadoaka. Supported by networks like MIHARI, LMMAs have proven effective in improving community well-being and enhancing marine governance. Examples like the Velondriake MPA demonstrate the potential of integrated management approaches that balance ecological conservation with community needs.
Public-Private Partnerships and Economic Sustainability
Challenges, including balancing artisanal and industrial fishing, remain significant. Legal frameworks and enforcement also need strengthening. Local governance models, supported by NGOs like WWF and WCS, focus on participatory management, financial mechanisms such as the “blue fund,” and integrating technology for ecological monitoring. Despite these advancements, issues such as limited awareness of legal frameworks and inadequate enforcement continue to hinder progress.
Efforts to enhance the economic value of MPAs and ensure their sustainability were central to the discussions. Mechanisms like the Madagascar Marine Conservation and Resilience Fund (MCRF) aim to address funding gaps while promoting investments in marine ecosystems. The FAPBM provides a successful example of a financial model that supports long-term conservation through trust fund revenues, and wishes to increase their support to marine biodiversity conservation. The foundation, which focused for several decades on the terrestrial protected areas, is aiming to support more marine landscapes through mechanisms that should be science-driven. FAPBM is keen to closely collaborate to enhance LMMA capacity, mainly focused on operations and management.
The importance of community-led economic initiatives, such as seaweed and sea cucumber farming, was underscored as a means to diversify incomes and reduce pressure on marine resources. Collaboration between local communities and private operators has demonstrated that economic development can coexist with conservation.
Key Recommendations
1. Strengthen the legal framework and enforcement for marine resource management.
2. Promote data integration and collaborative research to inform decision-making.
3. Foster community involvement and integrate traditional knowledge into conservation models.
4. Scale up successful conservation initiatives, such as LMMAs and carbon credit schemes.
5. Enhance public-private partnerships and sustainable financing mechanisms.
6. Include gender-sensitive approaches and prioritize capacity building at the community level.
Conclusion
The symposium highlighted the urgent need for adaptive and inclusive management models to ensure the sustainability of Madagascar’s marine biodiversity and economic activities. Calls for better collaboration among stakeholders through synergistic cooperation, enhanced legal frameworks, and stronger local governance were emphasized. Additionally, the inclusion of environmental education in programs, community empowerment, and diversified funding sources were highlighted as key elements for sustainable conservation. The event laid a strong foundation and produced a roadmap for the future of marine biodiversity conservation in Madagascar, emphasizing the need for a collective and integrated approach to tackle the remaining challenges. Organizing institutions and partners committed to ensuring that each actor implements the recommendations. By fostering collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and local communities, Madagascar can pave the way for a balanced approach to conservation and development. The symposium produced a roadmap for future marine biodiversity conservation efforts, with follow-ups by the organizing institutions ensuring that each actor implements the recommendations.
