Since 2012, Blue Ventures has been at the forefront of community-led fisheries monitoring in the Barren Isles, Madagascar. What started as a small initiative with just six community members, including four women, has developed into a thriving program. This year, the effort expanded to a total of 12 villages, with a remarkable 38 data collectors, 33 of whom are women.
This significant growth underlines the significant role of women in fisheries management. Their strong commitment and presence in their communities have been fundamental to the initiative’s success. A key strategy is to provide women with responsibilities in data collection and reporting. This approach not only improves their technical skills in analysing fisheries data but also helps to build their confidence and visibility.
As a result, these women are now recognised by their community as vital contributors to fisheries management. By analysing and interpreting data, they can influence management decisions in their villages and play an active role within the management area. This women-led initiative is not only transforming fisheries management but also enabling women to disseminate fisheries results within their communities, positioning them as role models and advocates for management practices.
