Madagascar

Our global team

We are a diverse group of conservation and development professionals who put fishers first. More than 75% of our 300-strong team is based in and alongside coastal communities. Our decentralised structure keeps us close to the coastal communities we serve, strengthens local leadership, and ensures our work is effective and sustainable.

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. 

Andavadoaka

Aina Celéstin

Aina Celéstin

Community Liaison Officer - Velondriake
Alexandre Razafimandimby

Alexandre Razafimandimby

Boat Captain
Balbine Perevizy

Balbine Perevizy

Community Liaison Officer - Manjaboake
Boniface

Boniface Tahindahy

Guardian
Dieu Donné Seraphin

Dieu Donné Seraphin

Logistics Officer
Domoina-Rakotomanga

Domoina Rakotomanga

Health Senior Officer
Elouise VELONIRINA

E-louise Velonirina

Community Liaison Officer - Teariake
Edgard Embetant

Edgard Embetant

Community Liaison Officer - Velondriake
Ela

Elanirina Nomenjanahary

Operations and Finance Assistant
Emilienne Razanadrasoa

Emilienne Razanadrasoa

Community Liaison Officer - Velondriake
Hery Herindraibe

Herindraibe ‘Hery’ Ratovosoa

Community Liaison Officer - Manjaboake
hyacinthe-romain-web

Hyacinthe Romain

Community Liaison Officer - Manjaboake
James Paul

James Paul

Science Officer
Javier Jimenez

Javier Jimenez

National Marine Science Coordinator, Madagascar
Jean 'Meg' Andriamampionona

Jean ‘Meg’ Andriamampionona

Andavadoake Site Leader
Jean Bien Aimé

Jean Bien Aimé

Head of AMGL Velondriake (Locally Managed Marine Area)
Jean-Patrick 'Patrick'

Jean-Patrick ‘Patrick’

Boat Captain and Dive Assistant
John-ISRAEL

John Bunyan ISRAEL

Regional Marine Science Coordinator
jessy

Jessy

Guardian
Jules Cesar Hasinavoajanahary

Jules Cesar Hasinavoajanahary

Teariake Community Liaison Officer
julien-germain

Julien Germain

Guardian
Mahefa Leaby

Mahefa Leaby

Regional Coordinator for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for the South West
Odilon Manantsoa

Odilon Manantsoa

Community Liaison Officer - Velondriake
Patrick Mahefanirina

Patrick Mahefanirina

Guardian
Patrick 'Patty' Ramiandrisoa

Patrick ‘Patty’ Ramiandrisoa

CSE Community Liaison Officer
Rochel Solonadimby

Rochel Solonadimby

Manjaboake Community Liaison Officer
Sacha-Zozime-web

Sacha ZOZIME

Dive Center Assistant and Data Enterer
Simonnette Rasoanantenaina

Simonnette Rasoanantenaina

Social Scientist Senior Officer
Solontena "Tako" Raivosoa

Solontena “Tako” Raivosoa

Communication for Conservation Technician (C4C)
Symphorien Soa

Symphorien Soa

Communication for Conservation Technician (C4C)
Tahina

Tahina Anjaramaiadrisoa

Finance Senior Officer
Toavina MIJORO DIADEMA

Toavina MIJORO DIADEMA

Health, Safety and Safeguarding Officer
victorien mahatroatse

Victorien Mahatroatse

Guardian
Zefrin Lolakely

Zefrin Lolakely

Community Liaison Officer - Teariake
Zizienne Ratsifidinantenaina

Zizienne Ratsifidinantenaina

Operations and Finance Officer

Antananarivo

Ando-Rakotoarivelo

Ando RAKOTOARIVELO

Finance Director
Ando Ramiliarimanana

Ando Ramiliarimanana

Office Cleaner and Cook
Candya RAVO ANDRIANINA

Candya RAVO ANDRIANINA

Human Resources Officer
Fanja-Ramiliarimanana

Fanja Ramiliarimanana

Finance Assistant
Fanja Razafindrazato

Fanja Razafindrazato

Head of HR
Felantsoa Ainamahafaly

Felantsoa Ainamahafaly

National Technical Advisor for Education
Feno Mirarifandresena

Feno Mirarifandresena

National Logistic Manager
Fenohery-web

Fenohery ALSON JEAN

Logistic Assistant
francoise-web

Françoise LANDRINE

Housekeeper
Francia RALAMINA

Francia RALAMINA

HR Assistant
graham-ragan

Graham Ragan

Senior Project Coordinator
Hasina Rakotoarisoa

Hasina Rakotoarisoa

Communications Manager
Herizo-web

Herizo Ravelomanana

Senior Advocacy Projects Manager
Jaona 'John' Ravelonjatovo

Jaona ‘John’ Ravelonjatovo

National Technical Lead for Mangrove Science and Policy
Joella Robby

Joella Robby

Health, Safety and Safeguarding Manager
koloina-web-2

Koloina RAMAHAROSON

Community health partnerships and M&E officer
Liantsoa Rabefaritra

Liantsoa Rabefaritra

HR Officer
Maneva Antely BRYAND

Maneva BRYAND

National Learning and Development Officer
Mannuelah Rakotovao

Mannuelah Rakotovao

Logistics Officer
Matthieu RAMAROSON

Matthieu RAMAROSON

Chauffeur
Naly

Naly Rakotoarivony

Head of Policy and Partnership
Narindra Raheliarisoa

Narindra Raheliarisoa

Accounting Assistant
Patrick Rafidimanantsoa

Patrick Rafidimanantsoa

Technical Director
Radoniaina-FANILONIRINA-web

Radoniaina FANILONIRINA

Global Senior Finance Officer
Seheno Randrianarisoa

Seheno Randrianarisoa

Finance Grants Officer
Stanislas Rakotonjanahary

Stanislas Rakotonjanahary

Finance Grants Manager
Tahiry Randrianjafimanana

Tahiry Randrianjafimanana

National Technical Lead — Fisheries Management
Tantely Rasoloniaina

Tantely Rasoloniaina

Finances and accounting Manager
tiana-filamatra

Tiana Ralambomanantsoa

Community Health Data Analyst
Toky Randriamiadana

Toky Randriamiadana

Global Learning and Development Senior Officer

Ambanja

Aina Soaelina

Aina Soaelina

Regional Technical Coordinator for Fisheries - North West Region
Alban Aoemba

Alban Aoemba

Communication for Conservation Technician
Aly-Fatoumah-web.jpg

Aly Fatoumah

Community Development Senior Officer
Angelina 'Lina' Rasoazananoro

Angelina ‘Lina’ Rasoazananoro

Community Health Coordinator
Bienvenue Zafindrasilivonona

Bienvenue Zafindrasilivonona

Northwest Regional Manager
Fanantenana 'Fafah' Ramasindraibe

Fanantenana ‘Fafah’ Ramasindraibe

Site Leader
Ferdinand 'Dadah' Botsy

Ferdinand ‘Dadah’ Botsy

Driver Supervisor
Giamalidiny 'Giamali' Jaofary

Giamalidiny ‘Giamali’ Jaofary

Senior Community & Mangrove Support Officer
Hanjara Rabemanantsoa

Hanjara Rabemanantsoa

Blue Forests Coordinator
Jean Claude Tafika ANDRIAMANATAFIKA

Jean Claude Tafika ANDRIAMANATAFIKA

Logistics Officer
Jean Dieu-Donné David

Jean Dieu-Donné David

Guardian
Jean Gilo Rodin RAMANITRARIVO

Jean Gilo Rodin RAMANITRARIVO

Health, Safety and Safeguarding Officer
Kathia-ZAKAMIADANA

Kathia ZAKAMIADANA

Northwest HR Regional Officer
Leah Glass

Leah Glass

Technical Advisor - Blue Carbon
Marie-Luciana-RASOAMAHEFA-web

Marie Luciana RASOAMAHEFA

Community Health Technician
Odile-RASOAZANAKA-web

Odile Rasoazanaka

Finances and administration manager
Rose Claudette 'Rosette' Ramamy

Rose Claudette ‘Rosette’ Ramamy

Housekeeper & logistic support
Well-Cylas Arahimanana

Well-Cylas Arahimanana

Senior Fisheries Officer
ZAFINIRINA-Ginah

ZAFINIRINA Ginah

Regional Coordinator MEAL - NW
Zoentana

Zoentana

Guardian

Belo sur Mer

Berdio Claudio Marovavy

Berdio Claudio Marovavy

Community Liaison Officer
Victor Jean

Victor Jean

Community Liaison Officer

Besakoa (Mahajamba Bay)

Adrien Raveloniaina

Adrien Raveloniaina

Guardian
Dolce Augustin

Dolce Randrianandrasaziky

Site Leader
Emilien Razafindrakoto

Emilien Razafindrakoto

Senior Fisheries Officer
Erica Judith Vanelle Damo

Erica Judith Vanelle Damo

Community Health Coordinator
Florent Marolahy

Florent Marolahy

Boat Captain
Henri Roméo Andriamifidy

Henri Roméo Andriamifidy

Association Support Coordinator
henrick-web

Henrick RAZAFINDRAMILA

Skipper and launch maintainer
Mamy-Lalaina-RAKOTOFIRINGA-web

Mamy Lalaina RAKOTOFIRINGA

Guardian
Michelardin Tarimanana

Michelardin Tarimanana

Livelihood Community Liaison Officer
Nihantana ANDRIANARISON

Nihantana ANDRIANARISON

Logistics Officer
Tahiana Raherimanana

Tahiana Raherimanana

Guardian
Teddy-Ratovomanana

Teddy RATOVOMANANA

Community Health Technician
Youssouf BADORO

Youssouf BADORO

Finance Officer

Maintirano

Achirafy-TOLODRAZA

Achirafy TOLODRAZA

Community Liaison Office
Al-Katibou-SOLONDRAINY

Al-Katibou SOLONDRAINY

Boat Captain
Bernardine Naveloa

Bernardine Naveloa

Office assistant
Calvin Ndrianirina

Calvin Ndrianirina

Boat Captain
Chanceux-Davidson

Chanceux Davidson Miandry

Logistics Officer
christian-web

Christian Duchene

Fisheries Technician
Edmond Django Randrianarivelo

Edmond Django Randrianarivelo

Boat guardian
Franco-ANDRIANANTENAINA

Franco ANDRIANANTENAINA

Community Liaison Officer Multidisciplinary
François Andrianomenjanahary

François Andrianomenjanahary

Community Liaison Officer Multidisciplinary
Francis Randrianarivelo

Francis Randrianarivelo

Guardian
MIARIMANA-Gabriel

Gabriel MIARIMANA

Administration and finance Assistant
Gaston FANOMEZANTSOA

Gaston FANOMEZANTSOA

Health, Safety and Safeguarding Officer
Hervé 'John' Randrianadrasana

Hervé ‘John’ Randrianadrasana

Reception & Security Agent
Jivan

Jivan Vizay Kumar

Finance Manager
Lucien FIEGNENA

Lucien Charles FIEGNENA

Observator
Lucienne-RASAMOELINA

Lucienne RASAMOELINA

Head of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Carinot-Mamy

Mamy Carinot TAVINDRAINY

Community Liaison Officer Multidisciplinary
Marcel Rakotoarivelo

Marcel Rakotoarivelo

Boat Captain
Oussouf-ZAFIMAHANDRY

Oussouf Zafimahandry

Community Liaison Officer Multidisciplinary
Romy-Ravalitera

Romy RAVALITERA

Regional Community Health Coordinator
Sandy-Papalay-MIRAJY

Sandy Papalay MIRAJY

Boat Captain
Tiana-RABEMANANJARA

Tiana Joel RABEMANANJARA

Finance Officer
Ursila-new

Ursila RASIDILAZAMANANA

Senior Officer Association Support

Morondava

Diane Prisca MAMPIHAMY

Diane Prisca MAMPIHAMY

Community Liaison Officer
Francois Rakotoarisoa

François Rakotoarisoa

Environmental and Climate Change Specialist
Irene

Irène Elisé HAJANIRINA

Operations Support Officer
Jeanne Heriniainasoa

Jeanne Heriniainasoa

Operations and Administrative Manager
Jean-RANDRIANAMBININTSOA

Jean Randrianambinintsoa

Marine Science officer
Simon-web-BsM

Jean Simon STEPHASON

Security agent
Leopold Clement Andrianjohary

Leopold Clement Andrianjohary

Site Leader
Nantenaina Ardo

Nantenaina Ardo

Midwest Regional Manager
RASAMINIRAINA Nasolo Fanomezantsoa Raitra

Rasaminiraina Nasolo Fanomezantsoa Raitra

M&E Regional Coordinator
Robertin

Robertin RAKOTONIRAINY

Regional Technical Coordinator for fishing - MidWest region
tanya-web

Tanya HARIMALALA

Midwest HR Regional Officer
Toto Breton Vernesy

Toto Breton Vernesy

Boat Captain

Toliara

Alice Razafimahazo

Alice Razafimahazo

Office Maid
Christelle Adelaïde Razananony

Christelle Adelaïde Razananony

Community Liaison Officer - Emergent LMMAs
Cicelin Rakotomahazo

Cicelin Rakotomahazo

National Technical Lead Community-based Mangrove Management
Fenitra Rasoloharimanana

Fenitra Rasoloharimanana

National Technical Advisor for Health
Gilde Tahindraza

Gilde Tahindraza

Regional Manager - South-West
Herizo Samuel Rafanomezantsoa

Herizo Samuel Rafanomezantsoa

Fishery Data Officer
Jean-Aime-web

Jean-Aimé RAZAFINDRA-PAUL

Field Programme Manager
Lovasoa-new

Lovasoa Augustave

National Lead for Monitoring and Evaluation
Mahatratra-web

Mahatratra RAKOTOVOAVY

Driver
Murelance 'Lalance' Razanamasy

Murelance ‘Lalance’ Razanamasy

Logistics Officer
Nestin

Nestin RASOLOFOARIVONY

Technical Coordinator for fisheries - South West
Noëlinaud Robert Djerryh

Noëlinaud Robert Djerryh

Livelihood Coordinator - Velondriake coaching coordinator
Olivia Jinabo

Olivia Jinabo

Logistics Senior Officer
Paul Antion

Paul Antion

Head of Programme Management
Tolotra Mandia

Tolotra Mandia

Southwest HR Regional Officer
Faralahy Tsirongaty

Tsirongate Faralahy

Guardian
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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.

Cabo Verde

At least 6,000 fishers and 3,500 processors – mostly women – and sellers are active in the fisheries sector. Almost all artisanal-caught fish is sold and consumed locally, but fish from the distant-water industrial fleet accounts for 80% of exports from Cabo Verde.

BV works closely with the local NGO Fundaçao Maio Biodiversidade to support communities to use robust data to inform fisheries management and improve value chains. Our partnership has so far focussed on Maio island, but we have plans to scale this approach to at least five of the ten islands that make up the archipelago.

Unlike other countries in West Africa, there is no practice of community management in Cabo Verde, although there are a variety of community associations on the islands that represent fishers’ interests. BV is supporting partner organisations to strengthen the capacity of these groups to move towards the co-management of marine resources and the development of community-driven protected areas.

The Gambia

The Gambia’s coastline is only 80km long, but is home to a rich mangrove ecosystem that supports locally important fisheries. Sadly, much of the coastline has been devastated by sand and ilmenite mining, uncontrolled property development (including in protected areas), and a rapid ratcheting up of industrial fishing effort, largely to feed the country’s three fishmeal and fish oil factories. 

Our approach in The Gambia is to empower local actors including CETAG and Gambian Environmental Alliance to raise their voices against these drivers of environmental destruction, and find community-led solutions. BV is also working with the well-respected youth and women groups SANYEPD and Hallahin Women Oyster Farmers to help communities secure preferential access to fish and shellfish.

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 the country. 

But massive overfishing by both industrial and artisanal fleets, as well as increasing exports of fishmeal for aquaculture, is threatening the way of life and food security in the country. As fish stocks dwindle, the staple National dish of Senegal “Thiebou Djeun” –  “Fish and Rice” – is becoming a luxury for many. 

Blue Ventures’ work in Senegal is focused mainly in the Sine-Saloum and Casamance deltas   of the country, home to hundreds of thousands of hectares of fish-rich mangroves. We have teamed up with Kawawana, Senegal’s oldest LMMA (known locally as APAC), to support the protection of 18,000 hectares of mangroves, and to help monitor and manage the rich fisheries they contain. Through our partners Nebeday and EcoRurale, we are also working with other communities, and especially women groups, to put in place community-based fisheries management systems, focusing particularly on the oyster and shellfish collection that are major sources of income in estuaries and deltas.

We’re new to Senegal but working to scale our communities-first approach to more partners and communities. We’re also aiming to build alliances with grassroots, national, regional and other like-minded organisations to advocate for better marine protection and to strengthen national inshore exclusion zones for small-scale fishers in which industrial fishing is restricted.

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 has been working with Tiniguena, one of the oldest conservation groups in Guinea-Bissau, to support the establishment of the country’s first community-led MPA, in the Bijagos islands. Guinea-Bissau is a new venture for us, and we envision scaling to new partners and communities in the coming years. 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. 

The Government supports the use of co-management to improve the management of marine resources, but a community’s ability to be meaningfully involved in this partnership approach is all too often hampered by the capacity of its institutions, to organise and to acquire the skills and resources they need. 

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 the mainland regions of Tanga, Lindi and Kilwa. Our technicians work with local partners to help communities strengthen co-management systems, through Beach Management Units (BMUs), Shehia Fishing Committees (SFCs), and Village Liaison Committees.

We have three types of partners in Tanzania: NGOs, CSOs and government. Our NGO implementing partners Mwambao Coastal Community Network, Sea Sense, and Jongowe Development Fund 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.

Our CSO partners include Kilwa BMU Network, NYAMANJISOPOJA CFMA and Songosongo BMU, while our government partners comprise the Ministry of Fisheries in Mainland Tanzania, and the Ministry of Fisheries in Zanzibar, as well as local government authorities in Pangani and Kilwa.

Following the conclusion of the SWIOFish project in 2021, we are also working with partners on an 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 per cent 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 81 communities in fourteen provinces, collectively reaching over 80,000 people. 

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 on the shared values of the organisations, including a commitment to promote the rights of traditional fishing communities in conservation. 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.

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.

We are working closely with our local partners Forkani, Yayasan LINI, Yapeka, Yayasan Planet Indonesia, Foneb, Komanangi, JARI, Ecosystem Impact, Yayasan Tananua Flores, Yayasan Baileo Maluku, AKAR, Japesda, Yayasan Citra Mandiri Mentawai, Yayasan Mitra Insani and Yayasan Hutan Biru, Yayasan Pesisir Lestari and Lembaga Partisipasi Pembangunan Masyarakat (LPPM) Ambon.

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), Bahari Hai, and Kwale Beach Management Unit Network (KCBN), a network of 23 BMUs in Kwale County

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 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 included a number of 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

Extending for some 2,700km, Mozambique’s coastline is the third longest in the Indian ocean and supports millions of people with food and income. 

Our Mozambican team has worked with communities to develop locally led approaches to fisheries management and marine conservation since 2015. 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.

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.