Our team

Our global team

We are a diverse family of conservation and development professionals who put fishers first. More than 70% of our 300-strong team is based in and alongside coastal communities. Our decentralised structure keeps us close to the coastal communities we serve, and ensures the work we do is effective and sustainable.

UK

Our global headquarters is in Bristol, and our team is overseen by our board of trustees.

Abigail Leadbeater
Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
Dr Al Harris
Alasdair Harris
Executive Director
Annie Tourette
Head of Advocacy
Chris Madden
Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager
Cennet Saglam-Kidner
Finance Manager
Charlotte Evison
Financial Accountant
Davide Grazi
Health and Safety and Safeguarding Manager
Elizabeth Nevin
Programme Support Senior Officer
Gildas Andriamalala
Technical Advisor – Governance and Capacity Building
Harriet Foden
Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
Holly Elgar
Senior Scoping Officer – Blue Carbon Ecosystems
Jenny Maltby
Senior Officer – Donor Stewardship
Jessie McGregor
Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer
John Lopez
John Lopez
HR Manager
Julian Daly
International Payroll Manager
Kathleen Haase
Governance and Administrative Assistant
Katie Stone
Senior M&E Officer
Kevin Moyes
Director of People and Culture
Laura Shakespeare
Development and Grants Manager
Lewis Minister
Senior Finance Transformation Manager
Lisa Mouland
Outreach Programmes Manager
Ludovica Cecchini
Human Resources Officer
Maja Carlton-Paterson
Global Development Lead
Mark Oliver
Talent Development Manager
Martin Halliwell
Chief Operating Officer
Martin Muir, PhD
Director of Digital and Communications
Matthew Judge
Digital Media Manager
Megan Francis
Senior Digital Design Officer
Nick Piludu
Technical Advisor – Mangroves and Blue Carbon
Nick Poole
Communications & Social Media Officer
Nicola Bassett
Programme Support Manager
Nicole Maddock
Development and Grants Manager
Olivia Wordsworth
Development and Grants Manager
Pascale Hunt
Director of Development
Phoebe Calcutt
Global Communications Manager
Richard Savill
Interim Finance Director / Head of Financial Transformation
ruth-sharman
Ruth Sharman
Field Programmes Project Manager
Ryan Lewis
Technical Advisor – Ecotourism Business Development and Marketing
Shelly Lang
Senior Finance Business Partner (Asia)
Sian Brereton
HR & Recruitment Assistant
Steve Mundey
Senior Manager – Digital & IT
Steve Rocliffe
Head of Frontline Fund
Timur Jack-Kadıoğlu
Social Science and Evaluation Advisor
Tom Collinson
Senior Advocacy Officer
Zola
Tsipy “Zola” Tantely
Programme Support Manager
Dr Vik Mohan
Director of Community Health
Will Stephens
Director of Field Programmes

MADAGASCAR

Since 2003 our Madagascar team has grown to over 145 staff, committed to implementing programmes, nurturing our longest standing conservation partnerships, and supporting conservation learning networks nationwide. 

Antananarivo

Peter Wilson
Peter Wilson
Madagascar Country Director
Haja Ramerison
Operations Director
Lalao Aigrette
National Technical Advisor for Mangroves
Fanja Razafindrazato
Human Resources Manager
Jaona ‘John’ Ravelonjatovo
Blue Carbon Science Manager
Stanislas Rakotonjanahary
Finance Grants Manager – Antananarivo
Patrick Rafidimanantsoa
Patrick Rafidimanantsoa
Director of Conservation
Tahiry Randrianjafimanana
National Technical Advisor for Fisheries management and Marine Protected areas
Felantsoa Ainamahafaly
National Technical Advisor for Education
Joella Robby
Health, Safety and Safeguarding Officer
Mannuelah Rakotovao
Logistic Assistant
Naly
Naly Rakotoarivony
Head of Policy and Partnership
Tantely Rasoloniaina
Finances and accounting Manager
Anja
Anja Angelo Rakotomalala
Logistics and Maintenance Assistant
Feno Mirarifandresena
National Logistic Officer
Toky Randriamiadana
Learning and Development Officer
Herizo Ravelomanana
Senior Advocacy Projects Manager
Liantsoa Rabefaritra
Human Resources Assistant
Hasina Rakotoarisoa
Responsable Communication
Seheno Randrianarisoa
Finance Grants Officer
Leon Rakotoniaina
Driver
Ando Ramiliarimanana
Office Cleaner and Cook
Narindra Raheliarisoa
Accounting Assistant
Radoniaina FANILONIRINA
Finance and Accounting Officer
Fanja Ramiliarimanana
Finance Assistant
Koloina RAMAHAROSON
Community health partnerships and M&E officer
Françoise LANDRINE
Housekeeper

Ambanja

Bienvenue Zafindrasilivonona
Northwest Regional Manager
Nantenaina Nirisoa
Site Leader
Leah Glass
Technical Advisor – Blue Carbon
Raymond Raherindray
NorthWest Livelihood Coordinator
Aina Soaelina
Fisheries Technician
Zo Andriamahenina
National Technical Advisor for Governance
Hanjara Rabemanantsoa
Blue Forests Coordinator
Said “Mouhtar” Ben Said Anoir Said Abdallah
Association Support Coordinator
Well-Cylas Arahimanana
Fisheries Technician
Angelina ‘Lina’ Rasoazananoro
Community Health Coordinator
Odile Rasoazanaka
Finances and administration manager
Léonce RAKOTOARISOA
HR Regional Manager
Romy RAVALITERA
Association Support Technician
Alban Aoemba
Environmental Education Technician
Giamalidiny ‘Giamali’ Jaofary
Technical Assistant of Reforestation and Education
Amedaly Ajojolava
Livelihood Community Liaison Officer
Rose Claudette ‘Rosette’ Ramamy
Housekeeper & logistic support
Aly Fatoumah
Community Support Officer – Fisheries
Fanantenana ‘Fafah’ Ramasindraibe
Fisheries Coordinator
Ferdinand ‘Dadah’ Botsy
Driver
Josué Harinaivomapiandry
Logistics Assistant
Dany Veston
Driver
Marcellin Andriamalaza
Skipper
Jean Dieu-Donné David
Guardian
Zoentana
Guardian

Belo sur Mer

Solo Zafinirina
Seaweed Aquaculture Technician
Berdio Claudio Marovavy
Community Liaison Officer
Victor Jean
Community Liaison Officer
Tsinjo Niavonoindraina Rakotobary
AST Coordinator
Jean Simon STEPHASON
Security agent

Besakoa (Mahajamba Bay)

Dolce Randrianandrasaziky
Site Leader
Albert Andrianalison
Operations and Administrative Manager
Henri Roméo Andriamifidy
Association Support Coordinator
Erica Judith Vanelle Damo
Health and Education Programme Coordinator
Michelardin Tarimanana
Livelihood Community Liaison Officer
Emilien Razafindrakoto
Fisheries Technician
Marie Luciana RASOAMAHEFA
Education and Health Technician
Florent Marolahy
Boat Captain
Adrien Raveloniaina
Guardian
Tahiana Raherimanana
Guardian
Mamy Lalaina RAKOTOFIRINGA
Guardian
Henrick RAZAFINDRAMILA
Skipper & boat maintenance
Michel Cédric Ramieravola
Community Liaison Officer Mangrove

Maintirano

Guillaume LEONSON
Site Leader
Jivan
Jivan Vizay Kumar
Finance Manager
Achirafy Tolodraza
Community Liaison Officer
Vitason Veloniaina
Community Liaison Officer
Lucien Fiegnena
Community Liaison Officer
Christian Duchene
Project Coordinator
Mamy Carinot TAVINDRAINY
Community Liaison Officer
François Andrianomenjanahary
Community Liaison Officer
Sandy Papalay MIRAJY
Boat Captain
Ursila Rasidilazamanana
Project Coordinator
Mameloson Christian Etono
Environmental and Social Management System Officer
Joma Jacquin
Community Liaison Officer Multidisciplinary
Al-Katibou SOLONDRAINY
Boat Captain
Chanceux Davidson Miandry
Administrative and Logistics Assistant
Lucienne RASAMOELINA
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer
Edmond Django Randrianarivelo
Boat guardian
Calvin Ndrianirina
Boat Captain
Bernardine Naveloa
Office assistant
Tiana Joel RABEMANANJARA
Finance Officer
Franco ANDRIANANTENAINA
Community Liaison Officer Multidisciplinary
Marcel Rakotoarivelo
Boat Captain
Francis Randrianarivelo
Guardian
Oussouf Zafimahandry
Community Liaison Officer

Morondava

Elena Roddom
Regional Manager – Mid West
Leopold Clement Andrianjohary
Site Leader
Jeanne Heriniainasoa
Operations & Administration Manager
François Rakotoarisoa
Regional MEL coordinator
Tsiorisoa Fidy RATONIHERISON
Regional Project Coordinator
Danielson Elysé RAZAFINDRALAKA
Finances and Administration Assistant
Rodelice ANDRIANIRINA
Security agent
Robertin RAKOTONIRAINY
MidWest Technical Advisor for Fisheries
Tsiferana Raharinaivo
Mid-West Community Health Coordinator
Graham Ragan
Senior Project Coordinator
Tanya HARIMALALA
Regional HR Officer
Toto Breton Vernesy
Boat Captain
Diane Prisca MAMPIHAMY
Community Liaison Officer
Chan Gerard
Guardian
Jean Randrianambinintsoa
Marine Science officer

Toliara

Gilde Tahindraza
Regional Manager – South-West
Paul Antion
Acting SW Field Programmes Senior Manager
Herizo Samuel Rafanomezantsoa
Fishery Data Officer
Murelance ‘Lalance’ Razanamasy
Logistics Officer
Cicelin Rakotomahazo
Multi-Regional Technical Support Manager – Mangroves
Fenitra Rasoloharimanana
Community Health Programme Coordinator – Teariake coaching coordinator
Nestin RASOLOFOARIVONY
Regional Technical Coordinator for fisheries
Jean-Aimé RAZAFINDRA-PAUL
Regional Technical Assistant
Miary Miarimbola
Education Coordinator – Manjaboake coaching coordinator
Tolotra Mandia
HR Regional Manager
Noëlinaud Robert Djerryh
Livelihood Coordinator – Velondriake coaching coordinator
Christelle Adelaïde Razananony
Community Liaison Officer – Emergent LMMAs
Olivia Jinabo
Logistics Senior Officer
Tsirongate Faralahy
Guardian
Hervé ‘John’ Randrianadrasana
Reception & Security Agent
Alice Razafimahazo
Office Maid

Andavadoaka

Jean 'Meg' Andriamampionona
Jean ‘Meg’ Andriamampionona
Andavadoake Site Leader
Mahefa Leaby
Regional Coordinator for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for the South West
Jules Cesar Hasinavoajanahary
Teariake Community Liaison Officer
Solontena “Tako” Raivosoa
Outreach Media Officer
Odilon Manantsoa
Community Liaison Officer – Velondriake
Symphorien Soa
Outreach Media Technician
Edgard Embetant
Community Liaison Officer – Velondriake
Jean Bien Aimé
Teariake Community Liaison Officer
Herindraibe ‘Hery’ Ratovosoa
Community Liaison Officer – Manjaboake
Rochel Solonadimby
Manjaboake Community Liaison Officer
Simonnette Rasoanantenaina
Social Scientist Senior Officer
Jean Claude
CSE Data and Community Patrol Assistant
Gilbert ‘Angelo’ Donah
Aquaculture Technician Supervisor
Zizienne Ratsifidinantenaina
Community Liaison Officer – Velondriake
Andry Mathieu
Aquaculture Technician
Feliny Bino
Southwest Aquaculture Technician
Godard Farala Diome
Aquaculture Technician
Alexandre Razafimandimby
Boat Captain
Aina Celéstin
Community Liaison Officer – Velondriake
Balbine Perevizy
Community Liaison Officer – Manjaboake
Emilienne Razanadrasoa
Community Liaison Officer – Velondriake
Zefrin Lolakely
Community Liaison Officer – Teariake
Hyance Romain
Manjaboake Community Liaison Officer
Javier Jimenez
National Marine Science Coordinator, Madagascar
James Paul
Science Officer
Patrick ‘Patty’ Ramiandrisoa
CSE Community Liaison Officer
Jean-Patrick ‘Patrick’
Boat Captain and Dive Assistant
Fredo Jermia
Boat Captain
Ela
Elanirina Nomenjanahary
Logistics Officer
Elias TSIHOAIZA
Finance Manager
Hyacinthe Romain
Community Liaison Officer – Manjaboake
Tahina
Tahina Anjaramaiadrisoa
Finance Senior Officer
John Bunyan ISRAEL
Science Officer
Dieu Donné Seraphin
Logistics Officer
Elouise VELONIRINA
E-louise Velonirina
Community Liaison Officer – Teariake
jean-tsimba
Jean Tsimba
Guardian
Boniface
Boniface Tahindahy
Guardian
Noarson Sylvain Nomenjanahary
Security Agent
Patrick Mahefanirina
Guardian
Sacha ZOZIME
Dive Center Assistant and Data Enterer
Julien Germain
Guardian

Belize

We have maintained a permanent base in northern Belize since 2010, based out of the fishing village of Sarteneja.

Sharon Young
Country Director
Darling Ortega
Programs Officer
Celso Sho
Fieldwork Manager
Breanna Conorquie
Head of Operations
Ronalee McKenzie
Fisheries Coordinator
Joshua Borland
Programs Officer
Nelcy Santiago
Programme Officer
Alyssa Matus
Operations Coordinator
Ryan Bood-Usher
Programme Coordinator
Denmar Russell
Programme Officer
Fabian Kyne
Research Consultant

Timor-Leste

We launched our country programme in Asia’s newest country in 2016.

Oldegar Massinga
Head of Operations
Natercia Verdial
Fisheries and Livelihoods Senior Manager
Dedy Martins
Conservation Coordinator
Jennifer Leech
Programme Impact Senior Manager
Janicia Silva de Jesus
Communications Coordinator
Nelson Maia Siqueira Amaral
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Jemima ‘Mima’ Gomes
Community Liaison Officer
Armindo Marques
Conservation Officer
Cristina Torres
Operations & Administration Coordinator
Fidel de Castro Guterres
Fisheries and Livelihoods Coordinator
Ashlee Gross
Technical Advisor – Community Consultations
Juliana Pereira Ximenes
Cleaner & Admin Assistant

International

Steve Box
Chief Programmes Officer
Fanny ‘Effy’ Vessaz
Regional Partner Support Coordinator
Agatha Ogada
Regional Partner Support Coordinator
Haji Machano
Regional Partner Support Coordinator
Khamis Juma
Regional Partner Support Coordinator
Jamen Mussa
Fisheries Officer
Esther Ngure
Technical Advisor – Mangrove Markets
Mkomwa Juma
Monitoring and Evaluation Lead
Randall Mabwa
Regional Communications Officer
Edith Ngunjiri
Technical Advisor, Health-Environment Partnerships
Masumi Gudka
Knowledge Development Senior Coordinator
Mzee Ndukai
Partner Support Coordinator
Bonventure Amollo
Data Systems Manager
Dorine Omenah
Senior Finance Business Partner (Africa)
Joan Otengo
Partner Support Coordinator – Kenya
Peter Bouckaert
Advocacy and Fundraising
Habiba Mussa
Fisheries Officer
Stelio Massuque
Partner Support Coordinator
Roxanne Mungai
Regional Communications Lead – Africa
Clay Obota
Fisheries Officer
Simon Njenga
Systems Accountant
Fanny Wright
Marine Programme Manager
Gregory Ndungu
Finance Officer
Esther Muchunu
HR & Recruitment Assistant
Nelly Otieno
Technical Advisor – Financial Inclusion
Christine Saru
Talent Acquisition Manager
Brenda Akinyi
Development and Grants Manager

Our global board

BV’s international board oversees all charity business, approving strategies and financial plans, and ensuring that all activities are in accordance with relevant laws. Drawn from fields as diverse as fisheries policy and open data, our trustees are united by a strong belief in putting people at the heart of conservation.

Zoe Averill
Ian Barry
Susan Crowther
Peter Everett
Oliver Gregson
Fiona Holmes
Mark Lomas
Caroline Lovelace
Rupen Patel
Gavin Starks
John Wareham

Join a global movement
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Senegal

Fishing and the collection of shellfish is central to the lives of most coastal dwellers in Senegal, and seafood is part of almost every meal in Senegal. Massive overfishing by both industrial and artisanal fleets, as well as an increasing export of fish meal for aquaculture, is threatening a way of life and food security in the country, as fish stocks dwindle.

The work of Blue Ventures in Senegal is focused mainly in the southern Casamance region of the country, home to hundreds of thousands of hectares of fish-rich mangroves. We have teamed with Kawawana, Senegal’s oldest LMMA, to help protect the 15,000 hectares of mangroves under its community management, and to help monitor and manage the rich fisheries and oyster collection in the mangroves. We are also working with other communities to put in place community-based fisheries management systems, focusing particularly on the oyster and shellfish collection that is a primary economic activity for many women in Casamance.

Guinea-Bissau

The West African country of Guinea-Bissau is home to the unique Bijagos archipelago, a network of some ninety mangrove-fringed offshore islands and extensive mudflats supporting large amounts of migratory bird species, as well as megafauna such as manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles. The Bijagos people continue to live a very traditional lifestyle, where the collection of marine invertebrates plays an important role in food security and cultural traditions. The country is also home to extensive mangrove-fringed river systems that support rich fisheries.

Blue Ventures is working with Tiniguena, one of the oldest conservation groups in Guinea-Bissau, in supporting the first community-led MPA in the country, UROK, in the Bijagos islands. Together with Tiniguena, we are also supporting the establishment of new community-led conservation initiatives in the Rio Grande de Buba, a vast mangrove ecosystem with a long history of community-led fisheries management. Our focus is on data-driven community-led management of fisheries, which are of enormous importance to coastal communities, in particular women.

Thailand

Thailand’s small-scale fisheries are the cornerstone of social, economic and nutritional health for the communities living along the majority of the country’s nearly 3,000 kilometre coastline.

In the southernmost Trang province we are supporting communities reliant on nearshore fisheries − in particular for crab, shrimp and squid − in partnership with the Save Andaman Network (SAN). The region is renowned for its vibrant seagrass meadows and vast mangrove forests, which provide essential ecosystem services to coastal communities.  We’re providing training and tools to aid community- led fisheries monitoring and ecosystem management, and building community-owned social enterprises that fund and sustain local conservation efforts.

Timor-Leste

Since 2016, our work in Timor-Leste has evolved into a dynamic movement supporting community-led marine management and coastal livelihood diversification in Asia’s newest country. From our origins on Atauro Island, considered to harbour the most diverse coral reefs on earth, we’re now working with numerous communities on the island and the mainland to help improve management of critical coral reefs and seagrass ecosystems.

We’re helping communities reinvigorate traditional community governance practices − known as Tara Bandu − to support marine conservation, in particular through the use of temporary and permanent fishing closures, and community-led monitoring of marine ecosystems and fisheries.

We’re helping communities come together to exchange their experiences of conservation across their shared coastline, building a new movement of local support for systems change in the management and conservation of Timor-Leste’s coastal waters.

Alongside our community conservation efforts, we have also pioneered Timor-Leste’s first homestay association, which has provided income from visiting ecotourists on Atauro Island.

Our team in Timor-Leste’s capital Dili works closely with government, civil society organisations and NGO partners.

Tanzania

Like its neighbours within the Northern Mozambique Channel marine biodiversity hotspot, Tanzania harbours some of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the Indian Ocean. These habitats are facing unprecedented challenges from overfishing and climate change.

Our Tanzanian team has worked with communities and local organisations to support locally-led marine conservation since 2016. Our work has expanded from Zanzibar to mainland regions of Tanga, Lindi and Kilwa where our technicians work with local partners to help communities strengthen co-management systems, working through beach management units (BMUs), Shehia Fishing Committees (SFCs), marine parks and Collaborative Fisheries Management Areas (CFMAs).

Our partners Mwambao Coastal Community Network and Sea Sense have spearheaded a remarkable acceleration in the uptake of community-based fisheries management and conservation in recent years, notably through the use of short term fisheries closures to catalyse broader community conservation.

In Kilwa we are working with Songosongo BMU to manage octopus closures and marketing, with the district authorities and NYAMANJISOPJA CFMA to help BMUs strengthen financial management capacity, and with Kilwa BMU Network to revive and expand the network.

Following the conclusion of the SWIOFish project in 2021, we are working with partners on a follow-up initiative to support the establishment and functioning of a fisheries co-management forum. The forum will facilitate engagement between national and local government authorities and NGOs involved in fisheries co-management initiatives along the Tanzania mainland coast, with the aim of enhancing networking and strengthening management and governance.

Somalia

With one of Africa’s longest coastlines, Somalia’s diverse marine environment supports enormously productive coastal and offshore fisheries.  Decades of conflict have undermined the country’s capacity for fisheries management, with many foreign industrial vessels fishing with impunity, and little regard for the critical importance of Somalia’s coastal fisheries for local livelihoods and food security.

A period of relative political and social stability unprecedented in recent decades is now presenting new opportunities to address past challenges, and to realise the considerable opportunities that well-managed coastal fisheries and conservation can offer Somalia. We are forging partnerships with community organisations in Somalia to build their capacity and skills to help coastal communities manage their fisheries for food security, livelihoods and conservation.

Philippines

The Philippines forms part of the ‘coral triangle’ epicentre of global marine biodiversity, with unparalleled diversity of marine species.  Over half of the country’s 107 million people live in rural areas, and approximately three quarters depend on agriculture or fisheries as their primary source of livelihoods.

Through our partnership with People and the Sea, we are supporting communities in the eastern Visayas to set up and utilise participatory data systems to monitor and understand the status of their fisheries, in a way that is meaningful for them. Through provision of access to strong data systems and training in data collection this year, these communities will soon have access to real time fisheries data and visualisations that will enable them to make informed decisions around the management of their fisheries.

Indonesia

Indonesia comprises almost 17,500 islands stretching across three time zones. This archipelagic nation has the 2nd longest coastline in the world − and the largest coastal fisheries resource − of any country on Earth. More than ninety percent of Indonesia’s seafood production comes from small-scale fisheries, which are underpinned by the planet’s most biodiverse marine ecosystem, known as the Coral Triangle.

We have supported community-led marine conservation in Indonesia since 2016. Our team works in close partnership with 17 Indonesian organisations supporting community-based approaches to coral reef and mangrove conservation across 71 communities in fourteen provinces. Our support across these communities is customised to each context − the local fisheries, community stakeholders, seafood supply chains, legal frameworks and customary traditions governing fisheries management and conservation.

Since 2019 we have brought these partners together within a peer learning network of Indonesian organisations specialised in supporting community-based marine conservation. The network is based around the shared values of the organisations, including a commitment to promote the rights of traditional fishing communities in conservation. Thirty two of the villages represented in this group are enacting local marine management through customary management regimes and traditions. This group, largely comprising sites in Eastern Indonesia, provides an important opportunity to share learning in traditional marine and fisheries management practices.

In Sumatra and Kalimantan we are strengthening our work in community conservation of globally important mangrove forests. We are supporting and strengthening community-forest management and supporting local partners who are adapting our catalytic model for temporary fishery closures to mangrove dependent fisheries like mud crab.

Our local operations in Indonesia are delivered in partnership with our sister Indonesian organisation Yayasan Pesisir Lestari, based in Bali, working closely with our local partners Forkani, Yayasan LINI, Yayasan KALI, Yapeka, Yayasan Planet Indonesia, Foneb, Komanangi, JARI, Ecosystem Impact, Yayasan Tananua Flores, Yayasan Baileo Maluku, AKAR, Japesda,  Yayasan Citra Mandiri Mentawai, IOJI, Yayasan Mitra Insani and Yayasan Hutan Biru.

Find out more

India

We continue to work in India with our long term partner the Dakshin Foundation. We are collaborating in three distinct locations; the archipelago of Lakshadweep, coastal regions of Odisha and the Andaman Islands. 

Overfishing has led to a reduction in fish catches, challenging the future of many traditional fishing communities.

Our partnership is working to build the capacity of communities to manage coastal fisheries,  and improve the health of fishing communities, for the long-term wellbeing of both the communities and their fishing grounds.

Kenya

Kenya’s coast supports an extraordinary diversity of tropical marine and coastal habitats.  These  waters are threatened by a proliferation of destructive fishing practices and over-harvesting within the artisanal and commercial fishing sectors.

Our approach in Kenya focuses on strengthening Beach Management Units (BMUs) to improve fisheries management.  Since 2016 our Mombasa-based technical team has provided support, mentoring and assistance to local partners including Coastal and Marine Resource Development (COMRED), the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust (LAMCOT), and Bahari Hai.

These partnerships have seen notable achievements in community-led fisheries management and conservation, including training and mentoring BMU leaders in eighteen communities in Kwale and Lamu Counties.

Comoros

The Comoros islands are located in the northern Mozambique Channel, a region home to the world’s second highest marine biodiversity after the Coral Triangle. This globally important biodiversity underpins coastal livelihoods and food security, but is at risk from climate change and overexploitation of inshore fisheries.

We have maintained a permanent presence supporting locally led marine conservation and fisheries management in Comoros since 2015, providing support to local partners, governmental institutions and communities.

On Anjouan, the second largest and most densely populated island in the Comoros archipelago, we work closely with national NGO Dahari. Our partnership has developed a replicable blueprint for community-based marine management, which has seen the creation of the country’s first locally managed marine areas − including temporary and permanent marine closures − designed to safeguard the coral reef ecosystems underpinning the archipelago’s coastal economy.

This approach, which is expanding rapidly across the Comoros, is also demonstrating the importance of inclusive conservation in empowering women − through local women’s fisheries associations − to play a leading role in fisheries monitoring and decision making.

Belize

Belize’s marine environment encompasses some of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the Caribbean Sea, including vast coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds. We have maintained a permanent presence in Belize since 2010, supporting diverse fisheries and conservation efforts.

We work in close partnership with the Belize Fisheries Department, MPA managers, fishing cooperatives and fishers’ associations, and championed the establishment of a national scale domestic fishery targeting the invasive lionfish.  We are actively promoting community led fisheries management, building on the success of our pioneering work with management of invasive lionfish.

We’ve led a decade-long MPA monitoring and evaluation programme in Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, and provide regular training in coral reef monitoring methods to MPA authorities across Belize, including helping establish management targets for Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, Belize’s largest MPA.

Our team supports and strengthens  fishing associations that advocate for the rights of their communities to be involved in decision making around access and use of coastal fisheries and to be key members of MPA management groups. Across the country we are working to ensure that fishers interests are mainstreamed in the design and implementation of marine conservation and fisheries management, improving the effectiveness of co-management of coral reef, mangrove and seagrass areas.

Mozambique

Our Mozambican team has worked with communities to develop locally led approaches to fisheries management and marine conservation since 2015. This build on the success of the Our Sea Our Life project, when in 2015 and 2016 we ran a series of exchange visits to Madagascar to support temporary closure development in Cabo Delgado. First in Quiwia and then in the Quirimbas Archipelago, these helped encourage the development of local management approaches in Mozambique.

Today our approach is focused on supporting and strengthening local organisations and Community Fisheries Councils (CCPs) to better understand their local fisheries, make informed management decisions to rebuild fisheries, and assess the impact of management actions.  This work is developed in close collaboration with our partners Oikos- Cooperação e Desenvolvimento in Nampula province and Love the Ocean in Inhambane province.

Ongoing security challenges have afflicted coastal communities and emerging marine conservation efforts in several areas of Cabo Delgado, where our work is regrettably now on hold.

As in Madagascar, given extremely high levels of coastal poverty and a pervasive lack of access to basic services, alongside our work in conservation we facilitate partnerships with specialist health providers, through an integrated health-environment approach.

Madagascar

Blue Ventures’ journey began in Madagascar in 2003, and we’ve been supporting communities in marine conservation across the country ever since. We have five regional field programmes along Madagascar’s west coast, as well as regional offices in the towns of Ambanja, Mahajanga, Morondava and Toliara. Our national headquarters is located in the capital Antananarivo.

Across all these sites we support communities with the establishment of locally managed marine areas (LMMAs), and work with government partners to secure national recognition for community conservation initiatives. First developed in Madagascar by Blue Ventures in 2006, the LMMA concept has since been replicated by communities at hundreds of sites over thousands of kilometres of coastline, now covering almost one fifth of Madagascar’s inshore seabed. Our research in Madagascar has demonstrated globally important evidence of the benefits of LMMAs to fisheries and conservation.

Our work focuses on strengthening community institutions in marine management and governance, and pioneering new approaches to catalyse community engagement in ocean conservation. These innovations have included establishing community led ecological monitoring and the country’s first mangrove blue carbon project.

At the national level, we partner with the LMMA network MIHARI, which brings together 25 partner conservation organisations supporting 219 LMMA sites across the country. Our policy team is also actively involved in advocating for more robust legislation to safeguard the rights and interests of fishing communities, and to remove destructive industrial fishing from coastal waters. In 2022 we supported the launch of Fitsinjo, an industrial fisheries watchdog organisation. The network highlights industrial fishing and IUU activities in Madagascar and the broader Western Indian Ocean region.

Given the lack of basic services in remote coastal regions in Madagascar, we also help communities access basic healthcare through training and supporting women to serve as community health workers. We do not replace government health systems, but work to strengthen existing structures in close collaboration with government health actors and specialist NGOs. We also incubate Madagascar’s national health-environment network, which brings together 40 partner organisations to address the health needs of communities living in areas of conservation importance across the country.