As one of the sites impacted by climate change – due to the instability of the mangrove salinity as well as water reduction in the lake – the communities of Loky Manambato (North Eastern of Madagascar) are aware of the consequences of illegal fishing and the extension of rice fields on the lake on the resources availability. Fanamby, the manager of the Loky Manambato protected area, has set up a warning system together with members of the communities living along the Lake Sahaka shores, which has led to a complete halt in illegal activities and the arrest of the perpetrators. The local population disavows all the deviant practices orchestrated by ill-intentioned people and collaborates with Fanamby in reporting observed crimes.
The success of this system is based on the multi-stage approach:
- Since 2019: strong awareness rising activities in collaboration with local authorities to strengthen the understanding of the laws, especially in areas with high pressure such as Nosy Satrana, Lake Sahaka, etc. Awareness raising is focused on the importance of the ecological role and ecosystem benefits provided by biodiversity, as well as compliance with existing regulations.
- In 2020: a visit with the governorate, the DREDD (Regional Direction of Environnement and Sustainable Development), DRRHP/CiRHP (Regional Direction of Fishery Resources and Fishing/ Fishery Resources and Fishing Circonscription) and the officials in order to check law enforcement and the resulting sanctions in the co-management of Loky Manambato, and the strengthening of permanent patrols in the protected area. There has also been support for the distribution of standard fishing equipment.
- In 2021: implementation of concrete actions through the application of Dina, participatory zoning of communities, etc. The Dina (social convention) applied in the area governs community life, especially since a fishermen’s association is active there and closely monitors compliance with the closure of fishing season.
Received Alerts often come from association members or KMT (Environment Protection Comittees). Fanamby later organises raids with the authorities. In most cases, these arrests are made peacefully and are preceded by reminder discussions with the communities about the consequences of these pressures on their own resources.
