Project Oratsimba

Since July last year, lobster fishing communities in the Anosy region have made significant progress toward sustainable marine resource management under Project Oratsimba. Lobster fishing remains a main source of income, yet stocks have declined in recent decades due to population growth, export market demand, climate change, and unsustainable fishing practices. The project is supporting fishers to implement adaptive locally managed marine areas by strengthening community led governance structures and promoting more resilient livelihood options.

Governance and enforcement capacity of Marine Management Committees in Sainte Luce and Elodrato improved through targeted training on roles, responsibilities, and dina rules. Members demonstrated stronger understanding of patrol planning, reporting, and transparent decision making, with surveys confirming solid knowledge of lobster protection measures. Some gaps remain in financial oversight, fine processing, and inclusive governance.

Transparent elections and community awareness activities strengthened accountability and trust. High participation and positive feedback reflected confidence in the fairness of the process and in newly elected leaders, who are now more proactive in enforcement discussions and seasonal planning.

Financial management workshops provided practical tools for budgeting, record keeping, and planning at committee and household level. The introduction of community auditors and structured reporting improved accountability and confidence in the management of community funds.

Participatory mapping in Ambanihazo enabled fishers to document key fishing sites, identify areas under pressure, and record ecological knowledge such as reproductive cycles and seasonal trends. This evidence is guiding decisions on closures, patrol priorities, and engagement with stakeholders.

Cross visits and gender analysis highlighted barriers and opportunities for women’s participation in fisheries governance and livelihoods.

Overall, the project has laid a strong foundation for locally managed marine areas through participatory planning, proposed seasonal closures, and development of local regulations. Despite logistical challenges and competing livelihood demands, adaptive planning and strong community engagement have sustained progress toward locally led and sustainable marine management. We sincerely thank our donors for their continued support in making this progress possible.