Madagascar 'Newsbites' from the WWF

7/27/2019 Madagascar 'Newsbites' from the WWF

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NEWSBITESDear friends,We have just had a particularly active quarter and ouraccomplishments during this period showcase the progress beingmade through innovative partnerships with local communities.

We have tackled new challenges in Madagascar, working to

improve energy access for people in rural villages and in largecities.

The training of the first group of Malagasy women at theBarefootCollege and the distribution of low consumption lamps in Antananarivo are two test-initiatives for which we have great hopes. Through these projects we hope to see villages ableto supply their own electricity through solar energy and to start a rational consumption ofelectricity in large cities.

This past quarter also showcased the work of our marine program which helped to organize

a series of discussions on marine topics during Maritime Days and also held the very firstprofessional meeting on fisheries in the Menabe Region. These two events highlightedthe challenges and opportunities of marine conservation, stressed the importance of thefisheries sector as an economic lever and the vital role of mangrove conservation, which is thefoundation of the industry.

Finally, I hope you enjoy reading this edition and encourage you to take part in thephoto contest dedicated to the celebration of Madagascars biodiversity and to the workof grassroots communities. This competition is entitled, Perspectives on the nature ofMadagascar and we want to celebrate your images and vision of this great island.

Rick Hughes
http://www.barefootcollege.org/http://www.barefootcollege.org/http://www.barefootcollege.org/http://www.barefootcollege.org/http://www.barefootcollege.org/http://www.wwf.mg/aboutus/photo_contest/http://www.wwf.mg/aboutus/photo_contest/http://www.barefootcollege.org/http://www.barefootcollege.org/


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In This Issue:

8,000 tons of potential in the mangroves ... 2Nosy Hara bends under the Varatraza .... 3Low energy light bulbs .................................. 4Maritime days .............................................. 4Fiberglass canoes .......................................... 4

New opportunities ........................................ 5Barefoot College ........................................... 6Photo contest - deadline on the 21st .............. 6Farewell Martina. Welcome A.G. ...................6

8,000tonsofpotentialinthemangrovesMorondava, the capital of Menabe province, hosted aprofessional fisheries meeting from August 28th to 30th

which explored the potential of responsible fishing in themangrove environment.

Fisheries can be an effective economic lever, particularly forMenabe, says Dannick Randriamanantena, WWFs

mangroves project officer. Madagascars 325,000 ha ofMangroves represent a potential of 7,500 to 8,000 tons ofcrabs per year. Randriamanantena insists that there aremany opportunities for fisheries by protecting mangroves inthe region. The conservation of mangroves as a transitionalecosystem between the marine and terrestrial regionshas many environmental and also economic and social

benefits.

But this valuable resource is under threat according to Rmi

Ratsimbazafy, WWFs marine ecoregional leader. Thebordering communities live from the resources collectedfrom the heart of these mangrove forests and the loss of thelatter threatens the whole sector and the whole region.

The meeting between fishermen, wholesale fish traders,collectors, private export companies, governmentalauthorities andSmartFish experts was very lively. Weknow a lot about crab fisheries, we know that this activitycan be very profitable, so we have come to get moreinformation on the new fishing techniques to reduceour losses, explains Tiandraza Mahavelo Francisca, afisherman from Belo sur Tsiribihina.

The meeting allowed the fishermen to learn about andtest new methods including enclosure ponds,conservation practices and transport options. Usingthese new techniques can lead to a 25% reduction oflosses during the collection and transport of the catch,says Zbigniew Kasprzyk, aSmartFish Expert. This firstprofessional meeting on fisheries was supported by WWF

and the regionalSmartFish programme funded by theEuropean Union and implemented by theIndian OceanCommission and the United NationssFood and AgricultureOrganization.
http://www.smartfish-coi.org/http://www.smartfish-coi.org/http://www.smartfish-coi.org/http://www.smartfish-coi.org/http://www.smartfish-coi.org/http://www.smartfish-coi.org/http://www.smartfish-coi.org/http://europa.eu/index_en.htmhttp://europa.eu/index_en.htmhttp://politics.ioconline.org/home.htmlhttp://politics.ioconline.org/home.htmlhttp://politics.ioconline.org/home.htmlhttp://politics.ioconline.org/home.htmlhttp://www.fao.org/home/en/http://www.fao.org/home/en/http://www.fao.org/home/en/http://www.fao.org/home/en/http://www.fao.org/home/en/http://www.fao.org/home/en/http://www.fao.org/home/en/http://politics.ioconline.org/home.htmlhttp://politics.ioconline.org/home.htmlhttp://europa.eu/index_en.htmhttp://www.smartfish-coi.org/http://www.smartfish-coi.org/http://www.smartfish-coi.org/


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NosyHara bendsundertheVaratrazaBemanjary, an elderly fisherman from Ampasindava, atraditional fishing village within the Nosy Hara marineprotected area, says he can see the serious impacts ofclimate change on his region. The Varatraza blows strongerand stronger and never stops. Sometimes we have to stay

in the village for ten days, we cant go fishing as there is toomuch wind. Before, the Varatraza would blow from June to

August, but today, it seems that it wontstop blowing, saysBemanjary.

The impacts are being seen in the fishermens catches aswell. Our catches are very small: twenty years ago sixmen could fish 400 to 600 kg of fish in three hours, saysBemanjary. Today, the same number of men would onlyget 20 kg of fish.

The protected areas of Nosy Hara and Ambodivahibe inNorthern Madagascar are playing an important role inhelping local communities face the consequences of climatechange, explains Volanirina Ramahery, WWF MWIOPOsCoordinator in the Diana Region. The overall objective isto increase these two protected areas coastal ecosystemsresilience in order to preserve the environmental goodsand services for the local communities in view of the futureclimate conditions, she says.More precisely, it consistsin establishing climate change adaptation strategies in

these two marine protected areas. We therefore call on thecollaboration of the communities and the various partnersin the Diana Region, so that the local projects related to thecoastal and land ecosystems may consider climate changeadaptation aspects.

Madagascars protected areas are able to stock 4 milliontons of CO each year, a capacity which is gained andconsolidated thanks to environmental protection. It is arelatively efficient way to mitigate the effects of climate

change. The WWF and theEuropean Union have operatedas partners on the marine protected area projects of NosyHara and Ambodivahibe, part of the Diana Region, for four

years and the project is now in its final phase.

Madagascar has a great chance to benefit from developingprotected areas. WWF and theEuropean Union hope toachieve this vision and that the marine and coastalprotected areas will help local areas with climate changeadaptation.
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LowEnergyLightBulbsWWF MWIOPO will be distributing 540,000 low energylight bulbs to households across Antananarivo during thelast quarter of 2013.

The CFL bulbs will enable households to reduce their

electricity bills by 14% each month, saving families moneyand helping to conserve the citys electricity supply.

Maritime daysAseries of conferences dubbed MaritimeDays were heldfrom the 18th to 20th of September in Antananarivo.The conferences dealt with a variety of topics including,small scale fishing, management of marine

protected areas and marine natural resources,holothuriculture and seaweed farming.

FiberglassCanoes!Locally-made fiberglass canoes are leading a revolution inthe Menabe fishing trade and also helping to save a rare treespecies.

These little wonders, built by students at the technical high

school in Morondava, are replacing traditional canoes madefrom the faratasy or Givotia madagascariensis tree, arare and declining species in the region.

The high schools shipbuilding department is one of thefirst initiators of this training in Madagascar, thanks toa partnership with WWF. These Fiberglass canoes arean important alternative, with regard to deforestation,explains Roger, the school headmaster. Fishermengenerally use farafatsy to build their own canoes, but this

wood is disappearing very quickly today, as it is subject tocollective logging.

Since 2013, our shipbuilding department could resumethe training in partnership with WWF, explains Roger.Our students, supervised by their teachers, could workon the building of ten fiberglass canoes as well as a bigoutrigger boat. 80 out of the 150 students registered in thisshipbuilding department are specializing in the building of

boats, speedboats, canoes and dhows/traditional wooden

boats.


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NewopportunitiesEnhancing poverty alleviation through effective MPA and fisheries management in theMozambique Channel areaDonor: KFW - Status : Concept submitted to donor viaWWF GermanySummary: About 60 million people live in the Western Indian Oceans coastal zone, of whichapproximately 25% reside in the area referred to as the Northern Mozambique Channel (UNEP/

Nairobi Convention Secretariat, 2009). This number is expected to double by 2030. Many ofthese people are directly dependent upon the natural resources in the region for their survival andlivelihoods. However the ecosystems, the services they provide and the resources within them arealready under significant pressure from human activities that are causing habitat degradation,pollution and over-exploitation of resources.

The economic as well as strategic relevance of the Mozambique Channel is and will be mainlyaugmented by two key external drivers: (i) the current and upcoming exploitation of globallyimportant oil and gas reserves, including associated shipping operations; (ii) the demand forfisheries resources, both for export and to feed the growing local population. There is a need

therefore for the regional stakeholders to ensure sound governance and management of ecosystemgoods and services including conservation and marine spatial planning to effectively fight poverty.The Mozambique Channel is a key geo-strategic place for the planet and is a highly solicited areathat deserves a special attention and significant resources for it to be able to effectively sustain thedevelopment of the bordering nations.

SIDA application 2014-2016Submitted by: WWF Sweden toSIDADonor:SIDA- Status : Proposal submitted to donorSummary: This application stretches over three years from 2014-2016 as a continuation of thecurrent Framework Agreement (2010-2013) between WWF andSIDA.

This programme document and its content have been developed through a consultative andparticipatory process where regions and initiatives have chosen to be part of the programme. Theirstrategies and objectives are aligned with the goals of the CivSam strategy and policy as well as theoverall objectives of WWF Sweden. All of the regional programme interventions have previously

been working with civil society partners as part of their strategies, either with support from Sida orother organisations.

Building resilient coastal communities and ecosystems as a means for poverty alleviation in Amberseascape in North Western of Madagascar

Donor: BMZ - Status : Concept accepted by donor, proposal to be submitted byWWF GermanytoBMZ this October 2013Summary: If not adequately anticipated, climate change and climate variability have the potentialof negating all development and conservation initiatives in costal and marine areas, especiallyin a poor and vulnerable country like Madagascar. This project aims to enhance the resilience of themangroves of Ambaro Bay and the health and wellbeing of the communities who depend on themfor their survival. To achieve this, WWF and its partners will use the findings of a climate change

vulnerability assessment for four villages (10,600 habitants) in the Ambaro Bay to inform andguide the following concrete actions: (1) reforest 300 hectares of mangroves; (2) improveeconomic and social conditions for the poor and vulnerable groups in these communities through

promoting sustainable livelihoods; (3)revitalize existing community-based mangrove managementsystems through the establishment of better governance; (4) develop environmentally sound andeconomically profitable crab fisheries; and (5) mitigate the ever increasing demands for mangrove

wood with the dissemination of energy-efficient cooking stoves and charcoal ovens.
http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/germany/http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/germany/http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/germany/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/germany/http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/germany/http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/germany/http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/germany/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://www.sida.se/english/http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/germany/


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BarefootCollegeTheseven grandmothersWWF sent to theBarefoot Collegein India to have successfully completed their training insolar electricity and returned home.

They are now ready to install, manage and maintain solar

systems in their villages of Tsaratanana and Iavomanitra.This progect will allow these areas to benefit fromrenewable energy sources and reduce pressure on forestresources.

Photocontest -deadlineonthe21stOn the occasion of its fifty years of conservation inMadagascar, WWF has launched a contest to capture

the best photos across six categories, all on the theme ofbiodiversity. The contest closes on October 21st, so get yourentries in now! Further information can be found athttp://

www.wwf.mg/aboutus/photo_contest/.

FarewellMartina.Welcome A.G.After four years of service to WWF, Martina Lippuner hasdecided to move on to new challenges. Replacing her asCommunications Manager is A.G. Klei.

Martina first came to WWF as a volunteer in the Explore!program before joining our communications department.

We wish her all the best and welcome A.G. to our team.

Editors:A.G. KleiMialisoa Randriamampianina;Richard Hughes;Zo Randriamanga

Photo credits:WWF MWIOPONASA

Translation:Rojotiana Ratovona

Contacts:WWF MWIOPOPrs lot II M 85 ter Antsakaviro,101 AntananarivoMadagascartel#: +261 20 22 348 85tel#: +261 34 49 888 04tel#: +261 34 49 888 05tel#: +261 34 49 888 06

[email protected]/WWFMadagascartwitter.com/wwf_mada
http://www.wwf.mg/news.cfm%3F207917/Indian-scheme-turning-grandmothers-into-solar-engineers-in-Madagascarhttp://www.wwf.mg/news.cfm%3F207917/Indian-scheme-turning-grandmothers-into-solar-engineers-in-Madagascarhttp://www.barefootcollege.org/http://www.barefootcollege.org/http://www.wwf.mg/aboutus/photo_contest/http://www.wwf.mg/aboutus/photo_contest/http://www.wwf.mg/aboutus/photo_contest/http://www.wwf.mg/aboutus/photo_contest/mailto:[email protected]://www.wwf.mg/frhttp://www.facebook.com/WWFMadagascarhttp://www.twitter.com/wwf_madahttp://www.twitter.com/wwf_madahttp://www.facebook.com/WWFMadagascarhttp://www.wwf.mg/frmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.wwf.mg/aboutus/photo_contest/http://www.wwf.mg/aboutus/photo_contest/http://www.barefootcollege.org/http://www.wwf.mg/news.cfm%3F207917/Indian-scheme-turning-grandmothers-into-solar-engineers-in-Madagascar


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5050 years of

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10 priority landscapes in

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Indian Ocean

200200 staff in Madagascar & Western

Indian Ocean 4646 projects in Madagascar& Western Indian Ocean
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Madagascar 'Newsbites' from the WWF