196
WORLD ATLAS OF CORAL REEFS
Protected areas wi th coral reefs
I
Site name
Designation
Abbreviation
iUCN cal.
Size (km'l
Year
.1
Madagascar
Mananara Marine
National Park
NP
II
10.00
1989
Reserve de la biosphere
Du Mananara Nord
UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve
1 /iOO.OO
1990
"
lies Barren and the Banc du Pracel, although these remain
poorly documented. In the northeast, fringing reefs reappear along the coast and the offshore islands, notably
Nosy Be and the Mitsio and Radama Archipelagos, although
their distribution is discontinuous around the many rivers
and bays. On the outer edge of the continental shelf in the
far north, there is another series of raised banks, actually
forming a near continuous ridge which may be the remains
of a large barrier reef system. Coral cover is reported to be
very high along the outer slopes, heavily dominated by
formations of the sheet coral Pachvseris speciosa.
Most research has been centered around Nosy Be in the
north and Tulear in the south, and very little is known about
the intervening reef areas. Some 130 species of scleractinian
coral and 700 fish species have been recorded on the reefs
off Tulear, but it has been estimated that there may be 200
coral species and 1 500 fish species in the whole country.
Along the western coastline, mangroves form a major
community and seagrasses are widespread, often forming
the dominant communities in the channels behind fringing
reefs. It would appear that most reefs were hit by the 1998
bleaching event, although data on the impacts are only
available for a few sites. Some 30 percent bleaching was
observed on the mid-west coast, for example at Belo-surMer, but bleaching-related mortality was relatively low.
For its size. Madagascar is relatively sparsely
populated. The majority of the coastal population is concentrated on the eastern coast, while the western coast is
less developed, aside from the larger cities of Tulear and
Mahajanga. It is this west coast, however, that also supports
the majority of fishing and tourism-based activities.
Artisanal fishing is a critical activity, accounting for an
estimated 55 percent of all fishery production from an
estimated 1 250 fishing villages operating over 20 000 small
vessels (pirogues, mostly without engines). Reef-associated
species are heavily relied upon, accounting for 43 percent
of total production. It remains a largely traditional fishery,
although there are increasing numbers of migrant fishers
who do not observe existing customs and taboos. Largerscale commercial and export fisheries make up the
remainder of the fishery and, together with aquaculture.
provide critical foreign exchange earnings. Tourism is
another important and relatively rapidly developing activity,
with at least 50 percent of arrivals visiting the coast.
One of the greatest threats to Madagascar's reefs is
siltation from inappropriate landuse practices. Most of
Madagascar's land area has been converted from natural
systems and soil erosion affects nearly 80 percent of the
island, with massive sedimentation offshore. Urban and
industrial waste is poorly controlled and a problem near
major cities. Overfishing may be significant - fishing levels
have greatly increased in recent years and there is evidence
of reduced yields. Despite the considerable potential for
ecotourism most developments seem to have been poorly
planned and contribute to pollution, while also causing
conflicts with local fishing communities. There is only one
marine protected area with coral reefs, the Mananara Marine
National Park on the northeast coast which incorporates
three coral islets, including Nosy Antafana. This site has two
rangers and there is some community involvement in its
management. There are a number of proposals for new parks.
Madagascar
General Data
Population (thousands)
15 506
GDP (miUicn US$1
3 26^
Land area Ikm^l
59^ 85^
Marine area (thousand km^l
1
205
Per capita fish consunnption (kg/year)
7
Status and Threats
Reefs at risk (%|
87
Recorded coral diseases
Biodiversity
Reef area Ikm^l
2 230
Coral diversity
135/315
Mangrove area (km^l
3A03
No. of mangrove species
9
No. of seagrass species
10
WORLD ATLAS OF CORAL REEFS
Protected areas wi th coral reefs
I
Site name
Designation
Abbreviation
iUCN cal.
Size (km'l
Year
.1
Madagascar
Mananara Marine
National Park
NP
II
10.00
1989
Reserve de la biosphere
Du Mananara Nord
UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve
1 /iOO.OO
1990
"
lies Barren and the Banc du Pracel, although these remain
poorly documented. In the northeast, fringing reefs reappear along the coast and the offshore islands, notably
Nosy Be and the Mitsio and Radama Archipelagos, although
their distribution is discontinuous around the many rivers
and bays. On the outer edge of the continental shelf in the
far north, there is another series of raised banks, actually
forming a near continuous ridge which may be the remains
of a large barrier reef system. Coral cover is reported to be
very high along the outer slopes, heavily dominated by
formations of the sheet coral Pachvseris speciosa.
Most research has been centered around Nosy Be in the
north and Tulear in the south, and very little is known about
the intervening reef areas. Some 130 species of scleractinian
coral and 700 fish species have been recorded on the reefs
off Tulear, but it has been estimated that there may be 200
coral species and 1 500 fish species in the whole country.
Along the western coastline, mangroves form a major
community and seagrasses are widespread, often forming
the dominant communities in the channels behind fringing
reefs. It would appear that most reefs were hit by the 1998
bleaching event, although data on the impacts are only
available for a few sites. Some 30 percent bleaching was
observed on the mid-west coast, for example at Belo-surMer, but bleaching-related mortality was relatively low.
For its size. Madagascar is relatively sparsely
populated. The majority of the coastal population is concentrated on the eastern coast, while the western coast is
less developed, aside from the larger cities of Tulear and
Mahajanga. It is this west coast, however, that also supports
the majority of fishing and tourism-based activities.
Artisanal fishing is a critical activity, accounting for an
estimated 55 percent of all fishery production from an
estimated 1 250 fishing villages operating over 20 000 small
vessels (pirogues, mostly without engines). Reef-associated
species are heavily relied upon, accounting for 43 percent
of total production. It remains a largely traditional fishery,
although there are increasing numbers of migrant fishers
who do not observe existing customs and taboos. Largerscale commercial and export fisheries make up the
remainder of the fishery and, together with aquaculture.
provide critical foreign exchange earnings. Tourism is
another important and relatively rapidly developing activity,
with at least 50 percent of arrivals visiting the coast.
One of the greatest threats to Madagascar's reefs is
siltation from inappropriate landuse practices. Most of
Madagascar's land area has been converted from natural
systems and soil erosion affects nearly 80 percent of the
island, with massive sedimentation offshore. Urban and
industrial waste is poorly controlled and a problem near
major cities. Overfishing may be significant - fishing levels
have greatly increased in recent years and there is evidence
of reduced yields. Despite the considerable potential for
ecotourism most developments seem to have been poorly
planned and contribute to pollution, while also causing
conflicts with local fishing communities. There is only one
marine protected area with coral reefs, the Mananara Marine
National Park on the northeast coast which incorporates
three coral islets, including Nosy Antafana. This site has two
rangers and there is some community involvement in its
management. There are a number of proposals for new parks.
Madagascar
General Data
Population (thousands)
15 506
GDP (miUicn US$1
3 26^
Land area Ikm^l
59^ 85^
Marine area (thousand km^l
1
205
Per capita fish consunnption (kg/year)
7
Status and Threats
Reefs at risk (%|
87
Recorded coral diseases
Biodiversity
Reef area Ikm^l
2 230
Coral diversity
135/315
Mangrove area (km^l
3A03
No. of mangrove species
9
No. of seagrass species
10