Managed zones

Managed zones, a type of marine protected area, allow marine species to thrive while also benefiting local villages.

In 2004, Andavadoaka worked with conservationists to create the world’s first community-run marine protected area for octopus. The area implemented seasonal restrictions on capturing octopus, the region’s primary resource. The strategy not only allowed octopus to grow in size and number, but resulted in greater yields for fishermen when the restrictions were lifted.

The success of the project led the national government to implement similar restrictions across the country, and neighboring villages are now developing their own protected areas. This is a critical move for a country that faces serious threats from overfishing.