EN 
FR ALEXANDRE
The Coastal Ranger
VOI Mandresy - Antalaha, SAVA Region
“If we get the help we need, in ten years, every ocean defender will see a big change in their community.”
That’s what Alexandre firmly admitted. He used to be an ordinary fisherman in Madagascar, but today, he’s much more than that—he’s a committed ocean defender. As the president of the VOI Fandrosoana (base community) in the Ambohitralanana commune in Antalaha, he’s taken on the important role of protecting the ocean. He shared his story with us:
“I was just a regular fisherman, doing my job and following the rules. I used fishing tools that were safe for the environment. I became a fisherman because my dad was one, and with my education, I didn’t have many other options. But now, I’m the president of the VOI Fandrosoana and I’m dedicated to defending the ocean.
I became a fervent ocean defender, protecting marine resources so that future generations can also enjoy them. Apart from that, I make sure that everyone in our community is heard and I fight against those who don’t respect fishing rules, especially inside mangrove.”
Alexandre shared with pleasure the great things he did through their association:
“Some of the current members of our association were part of those who do not respect fishing rules. We are currently counting between 30 and 40 members, all are brave ocean guardians. One of our main tasks is to guard mangrove and arrest everyone we catch destroying it. We work alternately everyday so that no one can escape from us. We collaborate with two officers to strengthen our authority. Those who cut down one tree in the mangrove must plant twenty others and make sure they all grow properly. Besides patrolling in the mangrove, we also do a lot of sensitization and advocacy.”
When we asked Alexandre why he’s so passionate about ocean conservation, he explained:
"The main reason is to protect marine species from extinction. Without them, we'll have nothing to eat, nothing to sell. Many are now endangered, and we need to save them so they can thrive again and help our region develop. As a long-time fisherman, I've seen the number of species diminish every year. If I had to choose a particular species to protect, it would certainly be crabs, as they are our main source of livelihood. The reason these species are so important to me is that they have two major responsibilities: the subsistence of the inhabitants and their financial source. So it goes without saying that mangroves are especially important to me, as they provide a home for crabs and their eggs, not to mention protecting coastal villages. Another reason for protecting the ocean is my children. Some of them are already grown up and independent, but others are still at school. If they don't succeed in their studies, fishing will surely be their last resort. That's why we need to protect the ocean and its resources."
Alexandre and his fellow ocean defenders have made a big difference in their community. He proudly described their impact:
“We have many ocean defenders in our village, and you can see the difference between us and the neighbouring village, which doesn’t have any. We still face challenges, but they’re struggling even more. This is because of the hard work of the ocean defenders, and I’m really proud of that.”
Despite their efforts, ocean defenders like Alexandre don’t get much recognition or help. He explained what they need:
“Our main problem is the lack of equipment like patrol boats, binoculars, and GPS-equipped phones. These would help us work better, but because we’re not well-known, it’s hard to get the support we need.”
Being an ocean defender is tough and sometimes dangerous. Alexandre shared two scary experiences he’s had:
“The first time was when I was the vice president of the ocean defenders. We had a fight with some people breaking ocean laws and people from both sides were hurt. They reported us to the authorities, blaming us for harming their activities. I ended up spending a night in jail. The second time was in December 2022, just a month after I became president of our association. Someone set my house on fire. Even now, I still get threats, but I ignore them because I want to keep protecting the ocean and make our region prosper. We need to prevent marine species from disappearing.”
Before ending our conversation, Alexandre had messages for the government, NGOs, and fellow ocean defenders:
“To the government, I want to say that ocean defenders are doing part of your job, so we need your help. We protect the ocean, and in return, we should get your protection. To NGOs, we’re doing a good job, but we still need more help, like better equipment and strong partnerships. Your help will give us hope for our region’s future. And to my fellow ocean defenders, don’t give up. One day, our efforts will pay off, and we’ll improve the lives of our communities.”
Alexandre finished with a hopeful message:
“If we get the help we need, in ten years, every ocean defender will see a big change in their community.”
- Antananarivo, Madagascar
- +261 38 82 548 67
- communication@natioradefenders.org
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