Fisheries Satellite Account in the Blue Economy (BEFSA)

The Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy of Madagascar, with the support of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) through the ECOFISH Programme funded by the European Union, organized a national workshop for technical consultation, knowledge exchange, and the dissemination of its Fisheries Satellite Account in the Blue Economy (BEFSA).

Alongside Kenya, Madagascar is among the first two countries in the East, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (EA-SA-IO) region to implement this national process, following the regional validation of the methodology in 2022. This initiative aims to better highlight the economic contribution of the fisheries sector within national accounting systems, supporting sustainable blue economy development policies.

The BEFSA integrates economic, social, and environmental dimensions of the fisheries sector. It assesses not only contributions to GDP but also impacts on employment, gender equity, community resilience, and environmental sustainability. The tool highlights post-harvest losses, untapped potentials, and investment priorities to strengthen fisheries’ role in food security, employment, and economic growth.

Since its launch in May 2023, the BEFSA has been developed through a participatory approach involving fisheries experts, statisticians, economists, artisanal fishers, cooperatives, and development partners. It builds on previous impact studies conducted in Madagascar, Comoros, and Djibouti, while aligning with national strategies.

At the conclusion of the workshop, around twenty participants validated:

• The BEFSA results and methodology

• Identification of statistical and institutional gaps

• A national roadmap for institutionalization outlining roles, responsibilities, and timelines for integrating the BEFSA framework into Madagascar’s national statistical and planning systems, including mechanisms for periodic updates

• Recommendations for sustainable financing, strengthened governance, and improved data management

The official handover of BEFSA tools, processes, and the roadmap to national institutions underscores stakeholder commitment to continue, update, and expand the initiative beyond the ECOFISH Programme.

Madagascar’s experience will serve as a reference for the ongoing process in Kenya and will inform broader replication across the EA-SA-IO region, contributing to harmonized approaches and knowledge sharing for sustainable fisheries management and blue economy development.