Governing for Viability: The Case of Velondriake Locally Managed Marine Area in Madagascar

Abstract

Until recently, Andavadoaka was a small fishing village in the southwest of Madagascar with an economy based on selling dried fish, sea cucumbers, and octopus to collectors. The fisheries went through a major change with the arrival of an export company focusing on fresh octopus trade, while facing many issues, including overexploitation and degradation of the coral reef ecosystem. The concern about sustainability and viability of the fishing communities led to the establishment of a temporary no-take zone, as part of the locally managed marine area (LMMA), facilitated by a partnership between governments, research institutions, environmental organizations, and villagers. The conservation initiative received support from all stakeholders and the model had been transferred to other areas. While the no-take zone is considered successful in reducing the pressure on the octopus fishery, the LMMA faces many challenges, including lack of funding and human resources, resource use conflicts, and lack of compliance, especially by fishers from outside the areas. These problems are complex and interconnected, and cannot be solved without a proper understanding of the whole fisheries system, throughout the entire fish chain. In this chapter, the governability assessment framework is applied to examine the natural and social characteristics of the fishing communities and the institutional and policy requirements for the successful implementation of the LMMA. The chapter offers insights into the LMMA and discusses the role that a transdisciplinary perspective can play in promoting long-term sustainability and viability of fishing communities in the area.