Abstract

In the region of Toliara (Madagascar), a novel partnership has emerged between local communities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs)  and private sector stakeholders. The collaboration is working to pioneer a form of village-based mariculture in which hatchery-reared juvenile sea cucumbers are raised by coastal communities in simple sea pens. The present paper describes how partners are working to demonstrate the social and economic viability of a new model for alternative livelihood creation amongst coastal people in this impoverished region.