The protection of the future Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Barren Isles, Madagascar, has reached a significant operational milestone through co-management between the local fishers’ association, Vezo Miray Nosy Barren (VMNB), and Blue Ventures.
Sixty community volunteers across 14 villages within the future MPA have implemented a new, comprehensive participatory patrol plan to enhance conservation effectiveness. This strategy complements existing initiatives, including patrols against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by FITSINJO and joint operations with the judicial police and Fisheries Surveillance Centres.
The new community patrol strategy comprises two actions:
- Local Village Surveillance: Carried out bi-monthly during low tide, patrollers monitor fishing practices and actively raise awareness among local fishers about sustainable methods.
- Broader Surveillance: Conducted via a motorised canoe monthly, this reaches remote settlements to systematically monitor compliance with the local bylaw (Dina), regional regulations, and national laws. Incidents are promptly reported to authorities.
To secure this strategy, patrollers received two days of training from the regional direction staff of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Fisheries and the Blue Economy. Furthermore, VMNB received essential equipment, including two motorised canoes, a GPS, and a mobile phone for each village, to facilitate rapid communication and response.
This collaborative initiative marks a pivotal step in safeguarding the MPA, fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship, supported by the Blue Action Fund and the Green Climate Fund.
Photo: Garth Cripps
