Octopus Management Workshop

28.09.2016

In the middle of August we were invited to an octopus management workshop by Blue Ventures to Madagascar. Blue Ventures (BV) is a science-led NGO that is very successful in the field of local marine protection. Like marinecultures.org, BV works closely with the coastal communities, which are heavily dependent on the sea and promotes transformative approaches to marine protection and poverty control. However, they work on a much larger scale than us. At present, BV is active in Belize and Timor in addition to Madagascar and partner projects are supported in the Comoros as well as in Mozambique.

Fishermen with squid (picture: Blue Ventures)

In 2004, a No Take Zone was established in the village of Andavadoaka in the south-west of Madagascar. The pilot was so successful that several neighbouring villages introduced the concept of self-managed fishery management. BV succeeded not only in building a great trust in the region, but also in multiplying this successful model. Soon the no take times between the neighboring villages had to be coordinated and a set of local rules and regulations for fishing in general was worked out with the villagers. To date, the so-called lemmas (Locally Managed Marine Area's) and the network Velondriake have emerged from these efforts. With almost 1000 square kilometres, this is the largest locally managed ocean protection zone in the Indian Ocean!



Last year, we decided to jointly catalyze the local marine protection with with coralreefcare.com. In the knowledge of BV's success, we are also planning to build up local octopus management in Jambiani. BV, on the other hand, wants to multiply its successful model on a regional basis and has been interested in our aquaculture techniques since their visit to our sponge and coral gardens. Joint interests have since been developed.



Octopus Harvesting (picture: Blue Ventures)

Together with other organizations from Kenya, Mozambique, the Comoros and India, we were able to participate in a big opening after an octopus-no-take time, as well as a workshop on octopus management. The event was very exciting and we learned a lot. Not only for Okala, our local partner, it was a great opportunity to experience everything one-on-one.



Now we are well prepared and full of enthusiasm for our own octopus management project. BV has promised us support, whenever needed. Speaking of partners - Mwambao is also entering the stage. Following their positive experience in Pemba, they are launching three new octopus management projects this year, in collaboration with SmartFish. We will join hands wherever it makes sense.

Piroge in Madagascar (picture: Blue Ventures)

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