The Bay of Tsimipaika, is located in the north-west of Madagascar, DIANA region, hosting an extensive mangrove area of over 8,500 Ha. These mangroves have been subjected to high anthropogenic pressure due to cutting for timber wood and charcoal production , with a net loss of over 2,500 Ha (Jones & al.2014). Aware of this degradation, which has had an impact on their fishing activity (loss of 8 crabs/Ha in degraded area), local communities have recognised the need for reversing this trend and have expressed their willingness and commitment. With the support of Blue Ventures, 44 community leaders from 30 villages were trained in reforestation techniques: selection of species adapted to each area, selection of propagules, determination of reforestation area and period, community mobilisation and monitoring of survival rates.
All reforestation activities were led by the CLB (Community Based organisation), a community governance structure recognised by the Malagasy government for the preservation of marine and coastal resources. At the end of each campaign, group participants are awarded to support their association such as sewing machine, agricultural equipment to engage them.
From 2016 to 2023, 13,441,831 mangrove propagules have been replanted over an area of 2,355 Ha. Thanks to the monitoring protocol established, a survival rate of 87% has been observed throughout the bay. Structural attributes and ecological functions of the mangrove ecosystem are now gradually recovering, being able to provide again essential goods and service to coastal communities. Crabs and shrimp are coming back to repopulate the previously degraded areas.
The president of CLB MIEZAKA says: “Before I was a member of the community patrol officers, I was able to see all the degraded areas in my village. In 2016, the CLB raised awareness of the importance of reforestation and mangrove preservation. We’ve organised a massive reforestation campaign involving all groups in our village such fishers, women, pupils, youth groups. Today, we can see the results: the young plants are growing back very well and the areas denuded by logging and charcoal production are gradually becoming green again.”
Note: In 2021, the MIEZAKA CLB was the winner of the Fagnoesa competition on local management of fisheries and coastal resources in the DIANA Region. It is one of 17 CLBs supported by Blue Ventures in Tsimipaika Bay.