How is climate change affecting the Vezo people of Madagascar?

Climate change is causing rising sea temperatures and erratic weather, destroying breeding grounds and shortening fishing seasons for the Vezo people.

What challenges do Vezo fishermen face with industrial trawlers?

Industrial trawlers often enter protected near-shore waters despite bans, leading to depleted fish stocks and reduced catches for small-scale Vezo fishers.

How is seaweed farming helping the Vezo community?

Seaweed farming provides a crucial supplementary income for Vezo families, acting as a buffer against overfishing and climate shocks impacting their fishing livelihood.

Home / Environment / Vezo People: Seaweed Rises as Hope Amidst Ocean Crisis

Vezo People: Seaweed Rises as Hope Amidst Ocean Crisis

24 Dec

•

Summary

Vezo people face dwindling fish stocks due to climate change.
Industrial trawlers violate fishing bans, depleting marine life.
Seaweed farming offers a vital supplementary income for survival.

Vezo People: Seaweed Rises as Hope Amidst Ocean Crisis

Along Madagascar's southwest coast, the Vezo people, historically sustained by fishing, now face an existential threat. Rising sea temperatures and destructive industrial trawling have severely depleted fish populations, making their traditional livelihood precarious.

To adapt, communities like Ambatomilo, known as Seaweed Village, have embraced seaweed farming. This initiative provides a vital supplementary income, acting as a commercial buffer against overfishing and climate impacts. Families can earn significant extra income, improving their living standards when fishing falters.

This shift highlights the Vezo people's resilience in the face of environmental changes. While still dependent on the sea, their ancestral culture is navigating an uncertain future, mirroring broader challenges faced by coastal communities in Africa.