Madagascar has taken a bold leap forward in its fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, hosting an intensive aerial surveillance training that introduced cutting-edge drone technology to fisheries authorities, government and surveillance agencies, and local stakeholders. The workshop, co-convened by the Government of Madagascar and WWF-Madagascar in and their key technical partners GRID-Arendal and Distant Imagery, is part of a broader effort under the Southwest Indian Ocean Sustainable Blue Economy (SWIO-SBE) programme, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

Over three days, participants from the Centre de Surveillance des Pêches (CSP), the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, WWF, and FITSINJO (Independent Fisheries Observatory) received hands-on training in drone assembly and local construction, flight operations integrated with existing fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) systems, and real-time surveillance techniques. Live demonstrations over Diego Bay showcased the power of aerial tools in detecting and deterring illegal activity.

“This training marks a significant step forward for Madagascar. By integrating aerial surveillance into our national fisheries strategy, we are addressing critical technical gaps in terms of capacities by embracing innovation that will help us protect our oceans and support the communities that depend on them.”

— Rijasoa Fanazava, Executive Director, Centre for Fisheries Surveillance (CSP), Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy

A Holistic Approach to Fisheries Governance

While the drone training marks a notable advancement, GRID-Arendal emphasizes that technological tools alone are not a silver bullet. A truly effective response to IUU fishing must be holistic—integrating innovation with legal and institutional reform, inter-agency collaboration, regional harmonisation, and long-term capacity development.

“The use of remote sensing technologies in combination with UAVs technologies provides a powerful complementary tool for coastal states to better protect their marine resources, enhance transparency and improve overall marine governance,”

— Romain Langeard, GRID-Arendal’s Fisheries Governance Expert

This philosophy underpins GRID-Arendal’s work beyond Madagascar. In Guinea, for example, the “Reinforcing Fisheries Governance” project started in 2021 goes beyond surveillance by strengthening national legal frameworks, reviewing institutional mandates, supporting the implementation of international treaties like the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), and improving prosecution and sanctioning pathways for fisheries crimes. As early as 2015, in the Seychelles, the “FishGuard” initiative uses satellite data and VMS systems not just for enforcement but also to improve coordination between maritime agencies, port authorities, and environmental watchdogs.

More rencently in Guinea-Bissau under the project Blue Bijagos in partnership with the Regional Partnership for Marine Conservation (PRCM), complementary work around Blue Capacity development was conducted by GRID-Arendal, building locally rooted institutional strength. It supports frontline agencies, civil society organisations, and coastal communities with the skills, tools, and governance systems needed to both manage their marine spaces effectively and develop support local livelihoods over the long term.

Supporting Regional Inter-Agency Collaboration

The Madagascar initiative also reinforces the value of multi-agency cooperation, a cornerstone of effective fisheries management. GRID-Arendal works across national and regional levels to support improved coordination between fisheries authorities, maritime police, navy, customs, port officials, and regional fisheries bodies. These linkages are essential for acting on intelligence, sharing data, and ensuring enforcement is both consistent and fair.

“This pilot is more than a technological upgrade—it represents a shift in how we govern our marine resources. Drones offer rapid, cost-effective surveillance that can fill key enforcement gaps, especially in remote coastal areas where small-scale fisheries are most active and vulnerable.”

— Umair Shahid, WWF’s Fisheries Lead for the SWIO region.

The aerial surveillance pilot feeds into a broader regional vision for accessible, low-cost MCS systems that can be adapted and owned locally. Lessons learned will help inform engagement with regional platforms like the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), the Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), and the SADC MCS Coordination Centre in Maputo. To support this, GRID-Arendal and WWF will co-develop visual communication tools, infographics, and toolkits that raise awareness and build practical understanding of surveillance and enforcement best practices.

A Scalable Model Across Regions

GRID-Arendal’s broader portfolio reflects this integrated, context-driven model. In Guinea-Bissau, the Blue Bigajos initiative supports the co-management of key fisheries in marine protected areas while piloting community-based MCS structures. The program works hand-in-hand with national authorities to build data systems and reinforce local surveillance networks—all anchored in the principles of equity, sustainability, and marine biodiversity conservation.

Toward more effective, coordinated Resilient Marine Governance

This drone pilot in Madagascar lays the groundwork for a smarter, more responsive fisheries enforcement system. But it is also a stepping stone in a larger process—a move contributing to regional efforts toward more effective regional, modernized, and resilient marine governance architecture, capable of responding to today's threats and preparing for future challenges.

Through its targeted interventions, regional partnerships, and commitment to building lasting institutions, GRID-Arendal is helping shape a future where coastal states can continue building national capacities over their maritime resources, fight environmental crime, and deliver lasting benefits to the millions of people who depend on the ocean.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lalaina Rakotonaivo – Fisheries Coordinator, WWF Madagascar – lrakotonaivo@wwf.mg

Umair Shahid – SWIO Fisheries Lead, WWF – ushahid@wwf.org.pk

Romain Langeard – Fisheries Governance Expert, GRID-Arendal – romain.langeard@grida.no

Pictures to use, please see Flickr