(Madagascar) Determining direct economic effects of Octopus cyanea seasonal closures

Fieldwork in Madagascar required.

The Vezo in Southwest Madagascar have established the first community managed marine protected area in the Western Indian Ocean Region. Various management techniques have been initiated over the past 6 years, including seasonal, rotating closures of O. cyanea fishing sites.

This project seeks to establish the direct economic effects of the past 6 years of seasonal closures on the incomes of the fisherfolk and regional fisheries companies. The project will mainly involve data analysis (coding and analysis of survey and interview data). If restricted to analysis of existing data, the student could be located at university. Preferably, the student will be based in Tana, Madagascar to work with the project manager, and also to facilitate eventual follow-up fieldwork in the Velondriake MPA.