Faced with the growing challenges of climate change, locally managed marine areas (LMMA or Lamina enti-Mitantana ny Morontsiraka sy Andranomasina in Malagasy) are proving to be a solution for strengthening the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems and coastal communities.

Since their introduction in Madagascar, these locally-managed marine areas have enabled communities to take charge of the sustainable management of their marine resources, while adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Local communities play a central role in monitoring and protecting marine resources. Thanks to their proximity and intimate knowledge of ecosystems, they can react quickly to environmental changes. For example, on the Mahafaly coast in southern Madagascar, by combining scientific knowledge with that of fishers, temporary and permanent reserves are set up, enabling fish stocks to replenish, thus ensuring a sustainable source of food. 

Madagascar's marine and coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, are important carbon sinks and natural barriers against coastal erosion. Communities managing LMMAs contribute to the protection and restoration of these ecosystems, strengthening their capacity to absorb climate shocks. For example, mangroves, which are often included in LMMAs, play a crucial role in protecting coasts from storms and erosion. They also capture large quantities of carbon, helping to combat climate change. By protecting and restoring these habitats, community-managed areas help maintain essential ecosystem services for local communities. Madagascar's mangroves store a total of 303 million tonnes of CO₂ (Source: The state of world's mangroves 2024)

WWF Madagascar actively supports LMMA initiatives through various projects and programs. The organization works closely with local communities to draw up participatory management plans through the implementation of the Transfer of Fisheries Resources and Aquatic Ecosystems or TFR-AE. The organization provides information on the state of resources from monitoring systems and catch data collection as well as ecological monitoring of habitats, promoting sustainable fishing practices and setting up local governance tools.

One notable example is the MIHARI network, which brings together LMMA management communities in Madagascar. This network facilitates the exchange of information and best practices between communities, strengthening their ability to face common challenges. The MIHARI network's national forum, to be held in Mahajanga from September 22 to 26, 2024, will provide an important opportunity to discuss strategies for coastal community resilience to climate change. Thanks to the support of WWF Madagascar and initiatives like the MIHARI network, these communities are better equipped to protect their livelihoods and preserve marine biodiversity for future generations.