We would like to share some updates with you as we reach the end of the 10th month of our year-long project in Maevatanana/Ambato-Boeni, a project made possible thanks to the support of Fondation Segré through IUCN Save Our Species. 

The focus of this project is the reinforcement of endemic & native fish populations whilst reducing the threats and pressures that threaten their survival. Fishing is essential for food and income for over 320 families that live in the villages at the project site, but current practices mean it is not sustainable. Several factors damage the habitat and the species dependent on the freshwater ecosystem. One area of concern is the use of inappropriate fishing gear. It has become increasingly common practice for fine mesh mosquito nets to be used, resulting in the death of juvenile fish, and depleting the breeding potential of the fish populations.

Local women have been employed to make fishing nets © Mamitiana Henriette Raharimalala, The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar
 
To help remedy this situation our project involves employing local women to make traditional, regulation approved, fishing nets which are being provided to local fishers. This enables women to be more engaged in the process and provides them with an income, whilst also resulting in fishers using appropriate gear.

Awareness Raising and Environmental Education © Mamitiana Henriette Raharimalala, The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar
 
Awareness-raising is also a significant component of this project and during the last three months our team have carried out 2 more awareness-raising sessions at 4 sites in the project area, reaching about 226 people. Topics discussed at these sessions include various regulations, such as the rules concerning the closed season for fishing and, equally crucial, the reasons such rules exist and the importance of using natural resources sustainably.

Working with fishers on patrols © Mamitiana Henriette Raharimalala, The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar

Local fishers have also been employed to carry out patrols and 14 teams from the fishers community are now monitoring the catch and identifying the different species captured. We have produced charts to aid them in the identification process.

Part of the fish identification chart © Maholy Ravaloharimanitra, The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar
 
Several fish species have been identified and of the seven most frequently observed two are endemic species that are focal to our project, and two are considered native species.  One of the endemic species is the Critically Endangered Paretroplus maculatus (known locally as Damba Mipenta).

Damba Mipenta from Lake Komadio © Mamitiana Henriette Raharimalala, The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar

The other endemic species is the Vulnerable Paratilapia sp (known locally as Marakely). The two native species are Glossogobius giuris (known locally as Borodoa) and Megalops cyprinoides (known locally as Besisika)

Marakely from Marofototra © Mamitiana Henriette Raharimalala, The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar  

The remaining three most observed fish are species of tilapia, carp and snakehead. These are all species that have been introduced into Madagascar’s freshwater ecosystem. In recent years non-native fish have been introduced wide scale in Madagascar. Although thought to be a cheap and effective option to support the fishing industry it has added significant pressure to the already severely threatened endemic species. The introduction of alien species into an ecosystem can, and often does, create considerable problems for endemic species as they often have no natural predator, they can out-compete native and endemic species for resources such as food, they can introduce diseases, and they are often chosen for their resilience to poor quality habitats. Tackling the impact of introduced fish species is complex and we are seeking to mitigate their impact by setting aside five waterbodies to be populated by endemic species from bycatch.

Participatory Mapping of No-Fishing Areas © Mamitiana Henriette Raharimalala, The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar   

As with all our project activities, this is a participatory process involving communities and representatives from The Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy (DRPEB) and The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. (DRAE). This process has resulted in a total area of 42.14 hectares now set aside as no-fishing zones, easing the pressure on the fish populations present. 

We are grateful to Fondation Segré, and IUCN, for their support with this project. IUCN Save Our Species aims to improve the long-term survival prospects of threatened species. It also focuses on supporting the species' habitats and working with the communities who share this habitat. It achieves success by funding and coordinating conservation projects into multiple initiatives across the globe.