Signing of a Partnership Agreement between the Agence Portuaire, Maritime et Fluviale (APMF) and Madagascar National Parks (MNP): A Joint Commitment to Protect Madagascar’s Marine Protected Areas
A Partnership in Support of Marine Conservation
Signed on 28 October, the agreement establishes a general framework for cooperation and consultation between the two institutions, with the shared objective of strengthening the protection of the marine environment, particularly against ship-source pollution, and conserving biodiversity within and around the nine (09) Marine Protected Areas managed by Madagascar National Parks across the country.
The signing of this agreement reflects the shared belief of both parties in the complementary nature of their respective mandates: on the one hand, Madagascar National Parks, a recognised manager of the national protected areas network, and on the other, the APMF, the competent authority for maritime navigation safety and security, as well as the prevention of pollution from ships, particularly under the provisions of the International MARPOL Convention.
Key Areas of Practical Cooperation
The partnership is structured around several priority areas, including:
- The exchange of information and maritime surveillance in the vicinity of protected areas, in strict compliance with applicable regulations, particularly the standards set out in the SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions;
- Conducting studies on the impacts of navigation on marine ecosystems, including operational and accidental discharges from ships covered by the annexes to the MARPOL Convention;
- Developing technical proposals on maritime traffic organisation and navigational marking;
- Raising awareness among sea users and promoting sustainable nautical tourism;
- Jointly seeking national and international funding to support collaborative projects.
Significant Expected Outcomes
Through this partnership, the two institutions aim to:
- Strengthen maritime surveillance and improve knowledge of maritime activities in the vicinity of protected areas;
- Improve the efficiency and speed of information-sharing in cases involving suspicious behaviour, illegal discharges as defined under the MARPOL Convention, or any situation posing an environmental risk;
- Contribute to the thorough identification of navigation-related risks, particularly the risks of pollution from oil, harmful substances, sewage and garbage from ships;
- Leverage their respective technical expertise in support of conservation efforts.
A Framework That Respects the Mandates of Each Institution
It should be noted that this agreement is implemented in strict compliance with the legal and regulatory mandates of each party, as well as the responsibilities of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD).
It does not establish any navigation rules that are directly enforceable against sea users. Any regulatory measures remain subject to the applicable national and international legal procedures.
Soure : APMF
