Madagascar National Parks and the APMF have agreed to strengthen cooperation to protect the marine environment, tackle ship-source pollution and conserve biodiversity around the nine Marine Protected Areas managed by Madagascar National Parks across the country.
The partnership brings together the conservation expertise of Madagascar National Parks and the APMF’s responsibility for maritime navigation safety and security, as well as the prevention of pollution from ships under the MARPOL Convention.
The two institutions will exchange information and support maritime surveillance around protected areas in line with national regulations and international standards, including SOLAS and MARPOL. They will also study the impact of maritime activities on marine ecosystems, including pollution from operational and accidental ship discharges.
The cooperation will also support proposals for better maritime traffic management and navigational marking, while promoting awareness among sea users and sustainable nautical tourism. Both institutions will seek national and international funding for joint conservation and maritime protection projects.
The agreement is expected to improve maritime surveillance around protected areas and speed up information-sharing when authorities detect suspicious activities, illegal discharges or other environmental risks. It will also help identify navigation-related threats, including pollution from oil, hazardous substances, sewage and ship-generated waste.
By combining their technical expertise, Madagascar National Parks and the APMF aim to strengthen the protection of marine ecosystems while improving understanding of maritime activities around protected areas.
The agreement does not introduce new navigation rules for sea users. Any regulatory measures will continue to follow Madagascar’s existing legal framework, international maritime requirements and the responsibilities of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.
source: APMF
