The Story of Blue Ventures

Wagwan,

This post focuses on the role Blue Ventures, a World Challenge 2010 Finalist, has had on coral reef preservation in Madagascar. I found this example on the rareconservation.org blog. There are lots of other interesting bits and bobs so it is worth taking a look. 

So briefly, why are reefs here so special? Well the reef system is the 4th largest in the world and contains hundreds of endemic species whose healthy populations are critical in supporting pelagic species. Madagascar, like with many other islands, is home to a semi-nomadic tribespeople. The west coast of the island is home to the Vezo tribe, all 50,000 of them, who rely on the sea for the majority of their food and income as the land is not conducive to farming. This is an example of the close interaction between these two parties. More examples can be found in Kate Price's Blog. 

What are the issues? Apart from the usual problem of overfishing and invasive fishing practices, there are two major threats surrounding the ability to conserve the reef. The first being the absence of fishery management with little to no enforcement of the local fishery laws and the second being the staggering average birth rate of 6.8 that put huge strain on food supplies. 

The solution? Blue Ventures supported the creation of a local management body comprised of 25 Vezo fishing villages. They implemented reserves for specific species as well as encouraged alternative aquaculture of less commonly used organisms. Crucially, BVs introduced a population program to decrease the number of births. A lot of this was achieved using social marketing. I wonder if they used Twitter...

It is interesting for me to see a different kind of causal relationship and subsequently a different method of prevention and conservation. It is encouraging to see that the locals are understand what's going on but it is discouraging to read that those with power i.e. the government, seem to be hindering things.

Well that was nice and generalised,

Seb