Opinion

Hearts, minds – and stomachs

Words by Philippa Ehrlich
For the islanders of Colombia's Rosario and San Bernardo Park, fishing is a way of life. According to researcher Camila Cáceres (see page 16), these communities are also committed to taking care of one another and they share their extra <br />
catch with their neighbours.<br />
Photo by Julián Andrés Rodríguez Agudelo
Camila Cáceres spent time in fishing communities in Rosario and San Bernardo Park, interviewing fishers to better understand local conservation challenges and to glean their knowledge about local shark populations.<br />
Photo by Julián Andrés Rodríguez Agudelo
Rather than starting up as a non-profit, Blue Ventures is a social enterprise. It sees itself as a research and development laboratory for scaleable conservation interventions. The organisation continues to work in Madagascar, and now also has projects in Belize, Timor-Leste, Comoros and, most recently, Mozambique and Indonesia.<br />
Photo by Steve Rocliffe | Blue Ventures
Blue Ventures' success hinges on a multi-faceted approach and the relationships it has built with the communities in which it works. In addition to its environmental work in Madagascar, the organisation has started a community health programme. In Veliondrake, one of the communities it serves, the proportion of women using contraception grew from 10% in 2007 to 55% in 2013.<br />
Photo by Garth Cripps | Blue Ventures
Peter Musembi, a Kenyan conservationist, is working with educational and religious networks at Watamu, one of Africa's oldest marine protected areas, to open conversations about conservation.<br />
Photo by Greg Davis | National Geographic Creative