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Mosesy JEAN
The pillar of marine reserves
VOI Tearike - Morombe, South West Region
How an Association Is Protecting Madagascar's Southwest Ocean
You can find the urban municipality of Morombe on the southwest coast of Madagascar. Many fishermen live there. Located at a distance of 283 kilometers from Tulear, you can reach the village by road or traditional pirogue from Morondava. Most people in Morombe are Vezo, known for traditionally catching fish. Fishing is the source of income for most villagers. However, some people are practicing illegal fishing, making it hard for the local community to fish in the future. Consequently, an association and its members in Morombe are working hard to protect the fish for the next generation of Vezo.
How the LMMA started
Welcome the president of the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) in Morombe, Mosesy Jean. As a coast guard, he's able to support his family while pursuing his passion. He is against the destruction of the marine ecosystem. He wants his kids, grandkids, and future generations to benefit from it. That is the reason why he became an ocean defender. His association is close to Blue Ventures, a marine conservation organization that puts people first. The LMMA wouldn't exist without the organization. It taught people the importance of conserving the ocean ecosystem. It also convinced them to create an association to protect marine species. Blue Ventures also helped by giving equipment and technical support.
The LMMA wouldn't exist without "Dina." Even with protection efforts, without Dina, it would be useless. Therefore, they created their Dina, a traditional and community-based regulation for managing natural resources effectively. The Dina, established in 2018 and reaffirmed in 2022, has been instrumental in protecting the ocean. Positive results were achieved during Mosesy's first term in 2017 and continue until now. With awareness and the dina's support, defending our marine environment is achievable.
In 2022, Jean received an award during the international fishing celebration in Ambovombe. He was the only winner from the southwest region. The director of Fishing association in Ambovombe chose him to represent his village and talk about the challenges and efforts in the southwest. The local community still need to be committed to protecting the marine ecosystem. Mosesy discussed this topic and received a lot of questions because his peers were curious and fascinated. He won first place and enjoyed sharing his skills and knowledge. He remembers a woman from Toliara saying, "Thank you, Mr. President; without your guidance, we wouldn't have any knowledge about marine conservation." Her heartfelt gratitude and appreciation still touch him deeply. Her sincere gratitude and appreciation still touches him deeply.
Ocean defenders focus on raising awareness. They teach the community members what they should and shouldn't do. Jean sees an ocean defender as someone who protects the environment and the sea to prevent climate change and the extinction of marine species. If Mosesy Jean were a marine creature, he would be a sea shell, as it helps clean the ocean, though people often eat them. The LMMA has a headquarters where they meet twice every two months. There, they decide their future actions. They also teach in seven villages about conservation. The community in these villages suggested creating more reserves to help protect the marine ecosystem. Protecting these areas will prevent damage to the sea and its ecosystem. An individual who protects the environment and the sea to prevent climate change and the extinction of marine species. If Mosesy were a sea creature, he tells us“I would be a shell, because it helps clean the ocean, although people often eat them.” LMMA has a headquarters where members meet twice every two months. There they decide on their future actions. They also teach marine conservation in seven villages. The community in these villages has proposed to create more reserves to help protect the marine ecosystem. Protecting these areas will prevent the destruction of the sea and its ecosystem.
Achievements and milestones: How their efforts transformed marine conservation
Before creating the Tsimaharitra reserve, the LMMA members put in a lot of effort. Then, they set up a farm to grow sea cucumbers. They established the reserve to protect and support the community in Toliara. It was successful for about 12 months. After the trial, IOT (Indian Ocean Trepang) took the sea cucumbers. The LMMA members continued to help the village farms, especially on the islands and completed all the legal paperwork. Jean believes that everything is ready, and they are now waiting to set up the village farms for sea cucumbers.
The LMMA members organized the Tsimaharitra reserve annually, led by CGP (Comité de Gestion de la Pêche aux poulpes) Toliara. They also arranged exchange visits within the LMMA, including Teloriake, Velondriake, and Manjaboake. They first visited Velondriake to see how they manage sea cucumbers, as it is difficult to farm them there. This visit convinced the local community to try farming sea cucumbers in Morombe. Team members traveled to Manjaboake each month, where there is a permanent Tsimaharitra reserve. They observed that the reserve was successful, with various marine species thriving. It convinced them of the benefits of exchange visits.
The local community now have three permanent reserves in LMMA Teloriake (one in Teloriake, one in Anositompoy, and one in the northernmost part). From 2022 to 2024, they also protect the environment by planting trees, breeding local species and cleaning the ocean's edge. The CGP implements a two-month closure on octopus fishing from June to August. To further protect octopus populations, temporary reserves are established in all southern and southwestern LMMAs. While participation in these reserves is voluntary, many fishermen join to see how many kilos they can gain. The LMMA members raise awareness and educate fishermen, helping them increase the value of their marine products and manage their finances. Mosesy Jean requested this training because it was helpful for fishermen in LMMA Velondriake.
They also protect marine ecosystems like the mother of pearl, reefs, and mangroves. They planted about 60 hectares of mangroves to help with climate change. In 2018, they conducted a raid with forces, government officials, and two motorboats from Blue Ventures. They joined forces to capture those who violate the rules. As the situation escalated, many offenders fled, leading to a chaotic scene. Mobs formed, and some individuals attempted to attack Jean Mosesy , throwing rocks and other objects at him. One person even punched him in the face. Despite the imminent threat to his life, Jean remained steadfast in his commitment to protecting the marine ecosystem.
How they tackled the toughest challenges
When there is a large fishing operation like the Sri Lankan one, the LMMA handles it first. They go to investigate the situation. The Sri Lankans said they were coming to fish and showed only a few simple tools, hiding their modern equipment. Jean requested to see their legal documents and discovered they had falsified them. Jean was upset and contacted the village mayor, reporting the illegal fishing. The LMMA and Mosesy asked the Sri Lankans to stop, but they claimed authorization from the ministries and governor. Mosesy felt very frustrated when he found out that someone had bribed the mayor, making him unable to speak up. Determined to get justice, he went to higher authorities with the case. He was upset to learn that, even after Anakao sent back the Sri Lankans, they had bribed people in Morombe to stay quiet about their illegal fishing.
Mosesy urges the community to work together and remember the next generation. They conduct monthly campaigns to protect the marine ecosystem for the future. He values the community managing the Tsimaharitra reserve and appreciates their help, even though they are not LMMA members. Mosesy is pleased that many non-members join in to protect the ocean. Although there are 876 LMMA members, the independent helpers make a huge difference.
Significantly, when Mosesy conducts awareness-raising campaigns, his peers from Morombe and the southern region show strong attention and are easily convinced. While all seven villages support him, they remain silent about ocean destruction due to fear of threats. Although they have a committee, KMD (Komity Mpanatanteraka ny Dina), to enforce the rules, fear keeps them from speaking out.
According to Mosesy, “ The Malagasy government should recognize our efforts to protect the ocean." He believes that the Fisheries representatives, who are local individuals blocking these initiatives, should be replaced by external parties who do not demand compensation.“Government and LMMA patrols help protect ocean defenders, but politicians across Madagascar often compromise our work.” Mosesy suggests that specialist lawyers be appointed for ocean defenders who currently lack legal support. He also believes they need better funding and equipment, as"Patrols often use traditional pirogues while illegal fishermen use motor boats." Training is crucial. Mosesy suggests regular training for ocean defenders, recommending that each LMMA receive training twice a year with a detailed tutorial. Mosesy is keen to share skills and learn from the Mauritius Advanced Reserve, especially for octopus conservation.
Mosesy Jean and the LMMA work hard to protect the ocean. They organized the Tsimaharitra reserve every year. They also arranged exchange visits within the LMMA. Unfortunately, they face challenges like illegal fishing, bribery, and old equipment. The 876 LMMA members and local supporters are dedicated but struggle with fear of speaking out. They urgently need more funding, new equipment, and better training. Your support can provide these crucial resources. This help will let the LMMA improve their work and fight illegal fishing more effectively. As Jean emphasized in his statement, "We cannot only rely on our determination and passion. To be effective, we need the right tools and resources to stop offenders and earn respect. Working together with government officials is crucial. We also need to coordinate our efforts to make sure our work has a real impact. This will help make sure that people who harm our marine ecosystems are responsible for their actions and face consequences."
If you contribute to the mission of Jean Mosesy, you will help protect the southwestern ocean of Madagascar and ensure a better environment for the future.
- Antananarivo, Madagascar
- +261 38 82 548 67
- communication@natioradefenders.org
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