as the fourth largest island in the world boasting one of the largest exclusive economic zones in the Indian ocean. Mada- gascar's small-scale fisheries sector is highly significant and has potential to both feed people and support livelihoods. This is particularly the case along the west coast where agricultural pro duction is largely infeasible and employment options are limited . However environments are increasingly threatened by climate change and direct anthropogenic impacts. including coral bleaching events. hypersedimentation, population growth and increasing rates of migration to the coast . Amidst the growing external pressures on the region's natural capital, recent reports have warned that small-scale fisheries and other marine resources in Madagascar are over-exploited Acknowledging the considerable role of the small-scale fish eries sector in terms of food security and poverty alleviation and its vulnerability to overexploitation, national level decision makers are showing growing interest in including small-scale fisheries in Madagascar's fisheries management plan, presently under revision. Yet, analogous to the lack of data surrounding small-scale fisheries on a global scale, currently little information