By Sharone Houssenaly | Programmes and Office Assistant
In Madagascar’s Anosy region, poverty and environmental degradation are connected. Coastal communities, where 91% of households live below the poverty line, rely almost entirely on small-scale fisheries for income. Overfishing and climate change have led to a dramatic 90% decline in lobster stocks since 1990, impacting livelihoods and increasing vulnerability. SEED Madagascar’s Project Oratsimba addresses these challenges by linking sustainable marine management with poverty alleviation efforts.
Project Oratsimba aims to alleviate poverty by empowering communities to sustainably manage marine resources through the establishment of Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs). These LMMAs, covering 31,000 hectares, promote sustainable fishing practices that help restore lobster populations, ensuring a stable income source for 15,000 people. By involving local Marine Management Committees (MMCs), the project ensures that community members actively participate in resource management, building local ownership and fostering long-term sustainability.
To further alleviate poverty, SEED has established new savings groups and provided financial literacy training to fishing households. These measures equip community members with the skills to manage income fluctuations, reducing reliance on unsustainable fishing practices during lean periods. Project Oratsimba’s holistic approach goes beyond immediate income generation by diversifying livelihoods. The project is exploring sustainable supplementary livelihoods to provide alternative income sources, helping families move out of poverty.
Moving forward, SEED will expand LMMAs to two more communities, enhancing governance structures and increasing community capacity. By integrating conservation and economic development, Project Oratsimba tackles the root causes of poverty, creating a path towards long-term resilience and financial independence for Madagascar’s coastal communities.
By addressing both environmental and economic needs, Project Oratsimba highlights SEED’s mission of holistic poverty alleviation, ensuring that communities have the resources and skills to sustainably lift themselves out of poverty.
By Sally Deitchman | Programmes and Office Assistant
By Aaliyah Farah | Programmes and Office Intern
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