EN 
FR Soafiavy TOVONDRAINY
The hero of the reefs
LMMA Manjaboake - Morombe, South West Region
Fishermen's Association Protects Marine Ecosystem in Southwest Madagascar
The southwest part of Madagascar is known for its rich marine biodiversity. It is home to the Vezo community, a semi-nomadic ethnic group who rely on the ocean. The Vezo are known for their excellent fishing skills. It is a way of life passed down through generations. However, illegal fishing threatens their traditional livelihood. These activities harm marine resources, putting the Vezo's primary source of income and their cultural heritage at risk.
The Tsimaharitra Reserve
Soafiavy is a 39-year-old ocean defender. Everything started with the Tsimaharitra reserve in Andavadoaka. The reserve did not exist where he lived, so he went to Andavadoaka to see the Tsimaharitra reserve for octopuses. He saw a new process and noticed the results were better than expected. That convinced him to become an ocean defender. People from Andavadoaka inspired Soafiavy. They protect sea turtles and their eggs. He sees the regional president, Mr. Herimanana from Toliara, as his role model in marine conservation. Soafiavy stresses the importance of community involvement in addressing local challenges.
He states:
"In the face of challenges, we cannot depend entirely on our leaders to take action. Each of us has a responsibility to contribute to our community's well-being. When we see a problem, we must not hesitate to act. By working together and supporting one another, we can overcome any obstacle and create a better future for all."
A committee of fishermen opened in 2016, and he officially became an ocean defender. He kept protecting the sea and joined an association of fishermen in Manjaboake. He ran for president of the association and got elected. Manjaboake has two villages and four sub-villages. Each has its association. There was one association from 2014 to 2016, but it failed. So, they made separate associations for each village. All six villages meet together in Manjaboake. To ensure that the community adheres to ocean conservations rules, a disciplinary measure called the "Dina" has been established. Under this system, individuals are required to pay a fine if they violate regulations related to fishing or protecting the marine ecosystem, such as prohibited equipment or engaging an illegal exploitation.
Since becoming an ocean defender in 2016, Soafiavy faced many challenges. The hardest one was creating a Tsimaharitra reserve in his village. The local villagers, who are the primary beneficiaries of the reserve's resources, often face the problem of external parties harvesting products before they can. To protect their rights, the community has implemented rules and penalties for those who violate these regulations. However, enforcing these rules has proven difficult. There were many complaints, arguments and fights from both parties. Soafiavy struggled to calm things down. He realized that protecting the ocean and its resources is a significant challenge that requires a lot of courage.
"Maharitra" means long-lasting, and the community did not understand this. They had to explain that it was strictly forbidden to pass through or fish there. Many community members took bribes from outsiders to fish illegally. The association needed a campaign to raise awareness. They started the campaign with Soafiavy at Beangozaho and created a reserve at Oriango. Local communities are increasingly recognizing the importance of ocean conservation, with over 90% acknowledging its positive impact on their daily lives. Now, all six villages have their own Tsimaharitra reserves. These reserves are protected area of ocean where human activities are restricted or prohibited. These reserves protect sea animals like corals, fish, and octopuses.There are four Maharitra reserves and six Tsimaharitra reserves.
Who should stand as an ocean defender?
In the Sambele zone, there was confusion about responsibilities. Sea defense needs a group effort, not just one person. Soafiavy encouraged everyone to play a part in protecting the ocean. He emphasized that all fishermen should contribute, rather than relying solely on the association's president. He suggested that the entire village should work together to safeguard the marine by implementing sustainable fishing practices, reducing pollution, and raising awareness. To ensure that the workload is distributed fairly, he suggested assigning specific tasks to different individuals based on their skills and availability.
In the Sambele area, there was confusion over responsibilities. Defending the sea requires a collective effort, not just one person. Soafiavy encouraged everyone to play a role in protecting the ocean. He stressed that all fishermen should contribute, rather than relying solely on the president of the association. He suggested that the whole village should work together to protect the sea by implementing sustainable fishing practices, reducing pollution, and raising awareness in the local community. To ensure that the workload is distributed fairly, he suggested assigning specific tasks to different people based on their skills and availability.
Soafiavy loves protecting the ocean because his parents and grandparents told him there used to be a lot of marine species. Now, their numbers have dropped a lot. The situation makes him very sad. If they don’t act now, future generations will suffer. The Vezo people need the sea to live. Without marine life, they will struggle because most of them are uneducated and only know about fishing. Soafiavy feels he must protect the marine species so the Vezo people can keep living their way of life.
Soafiavy's work in ocean defense was successful. He was elected president of the association in 2017 and re-elected after three years. The community thinks he brought positive changes by stopping the destruction of the marine ecosystem. According to him, "An ocean defender is someone who lives by the sea, does not harm marine species or their environment, and follows conservation laws." When asked about what marine species Soafiavy wants to be like, he said, "I want to be like a dolphin, a creature that is becoming increasingly rare in our area. It is essential that we remember and protect these animals so that future generations can appreciate their beauty."
The Fishermen's Association: Key struggles and needs
He fought against illegal fishing by Sri Lankans, especially fishing sea cucumbers. They set up a "Dina," a local law, banning this practice. If foreigners dive and fish illegally, Soafiavy gets informed immediately. The village tries to handle the issue first. If they can't, they call for help from the headquarters. The headquarters committee of Manjaboake sends representatives to enforce the law and explain why illegal fishing is not allowed. In Morombe, Sri Lankans were illegally fishing sea cucumbers. Soafiavy and ocean protection groups met, documented the illegal fishing, and reported it to the ministry. Even though the Sri Lankans had a license, they couldn’t fish in the protected area. Soafiavy and his group succeeded, and the Sri Lankans left.
Unfortunately, their association lacks funds and equipment. They ask for help from people willing to support their cause, whether they are local or international. Their missions often take weeks, and they don't have enough resources. For example, they use traditional pirogues to travel 7 km to Beangola, but motorboats would make their missions faster and easier. Since becoming an ocean defender, Soafiavy has spent less time on his job and source of income because he often has to respond to urgent calls for help.
"I encourage all those who live near the sea to become protectors of marine life. Conservation is not merely about financial gain; it's about safeguarding our future. For the people of southwest Madagascar, preserving sea life should be a top priority", Soafiavy called upon the community. The ministry operates mainly in Antananarivo, but local people must act where the issues happen. Soafiavy urges the government to enforce laws against illegal fishing. If someone breaks the law, they should face severe punishment to support the association working with the government.
Soafiavy has dedicated his life to marine conservation. Since he started, Soafiavy faced numerous challenges, including setting up reserves, dealing with illegal fishing, and encouraging community involvement. Despite these obstacles, he has made significant progress, with six villages now having their own Tsimaharitra reserves.
However, his work is far from over. The association Soafiavy leads lacks the funds and equipment to continue their crucial missions effectively. As Soafiavy states, "I invite local and international supporters to join us in acquiring essential resources, such as motorboats and communication devices, to protect our marine environment. Your contribution is vital to preserving ocean biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future for the Vezo people. Your support is crucial for marine conservation in Madagascar."
- Antananarivo, Madagascar
- +261 38 82 548 67
- communication@natioradefenders.org
Newsletter
Sign up to receive all our news and
events.
Quick links
2024 Natiora Defenders - All rights reserved. Terms of use – Privacy policy
Contact Information
