Madagascar maps 425,000 km² of priority marine areas for 30x30 plan

Madagascar has finished its first national scientific assessment of marine biodiversity priorities, identifying more ocean area than required to meet the marine half of its 30x30 conservation pledge. The work gives authorities a science-based blueprint for new protected areas, with the first designations expected by year-end.

Why it matters: - Madagascar now has a national scientific map for where marine protection can deliver the biggest biodiversity gains. - The assessment identifies 425,000 km² of priority marine and coastal areas, more than the 342,000 km² needed to meet the country’s marine 30% target. - The results give policymakers room to choose sites based on biodiversity value, governance feasibility and existing uses such as small-scale fisheries. - The work helps close a long-running gap between Madagascar’s stronger terrestrial protection efforts and weaker marine protection.

What happened: - Madagascar completed the first comprehensive national scientific assessment of marine biodiversity priorities within its Exclusive Economic Zone. - The report, Identification of Sites of Importance for Marine Biodiversity, In Support of Madagascar 30x30, was led by the National Oceanographic Data Centre at the University of Toliara’s Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences. - The assessment covers Madagascar’s 1.14 million km² Exclusive Economic Zone. - Results were validated on 19 May 2026 in Antananarivo by 43 institutional, scientific and civil-society representatives. - The process followed a terrestrial biodiversity reprioritization completed in March 2026.

The details: - The marine assessment analyzed 18 geospatial data layers covering biodiversity, critical habitats, existing governance and socio-economic uses. - Priority zones are concentrated along Madagascar’s northern and western coasts, around Nosy Be and the Radama archipelago, and on the seamounts of the Malagasy plateau. - The findings align with Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas, Key Biodiversity Areas, Important Marine Mammal Areas and Important Shark and Ray Areas. - The validated participants came mainly from Malagasy institutions, including the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy, the Ministry of Land Use Planning, IHSM, the National Institute of Oceanographic Research, the MIHARI network, Madagascar National Parks and Hay Riake. - In-country teams from WCS, WWF, IUCN, Blue Ventures and Conservation International also took part. - Workshop participants added a fifth prioritization criterion, “Gaps and Opportunities,” to account for deep-sea areas and seamounts that remain scientifically undocumented. - Formal endorsement from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy came in July 2026. - The first new marine protected areas in Excellent and Very High priority zones are expected by the end of 2026, with management plans to be developed through 2027.

Between the lines: - Madagascar is trying to move from broad conservation pledges to a site-by-site blueprint backed by local institutions. - The inclusion of a “Gaps and Opportunities” criterion signals that the government expects some of the most important areas to remain under-studied for years. - The emphasis on community use, especially small-scale fisheries, suggests future protection will need to balance conservation goals with livelihoods. - The national process also strengthens Madagascar’s case for external support, since the plan is now grounded in a clearer scientific and governance framework.

What’s next: - National authorities will select the best sites for designation using biodiversity value, governance feasibility and compatibility with existing uses. - The marine assessment will feed into new protected area designations and management plans over the next two years. - Madagascar’s broader 30x30 plan aims to protect 30% of the country’s land and ocean by 2030. - Since February 2026, Madagascar has already designated 21 new terrestrial and marine protected areas covering 1.82 million hectares. - The plan has also secured backing from SPACES, Campaign for Nature, the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, Rainforest Trust, Re:wild, the Hempel Foundation, Conservation Allies, KfW, AFD and the World Bank.

The bottom line: - Madagascar now has one of the region’s most ambitious science-based roadmaps for marine conservation, and the next test is turning that map into enforceable protection on the water. - The full announcement is available at madagascar30x30.com.