In May 2023, the Elephants Alive (EA) team embarked on an Human-Elephant Conflict barrier implementation mission to the Namaacha Valley in Southern Mozambique. EA and Mozambique Wildlife Allience (MWA), as well as delegates from Save The Elephants (Kenya) and PAMS Foundation (Tanzania), came together in an inspirational cooperation exercise to implement a 4-way mitigation soft barrier to protect three crop fields. The fields had been identified through field research and GPS tracking data, as high-risk for elephant crop-raiding. One side of the fence was built by hanging beehives. As the hives start to become occupied with wild swarms, we will keep training local farmers on how to keep hives and colonies healthy, by assessing the frame structures and checking if the bees have enough pollen to produce honey. This knowledge will allow the farmers to increase both their crop production, protect crops from hungry elephants and supplement their income from honey sales. The second side of the fence was made up of metal strip fencing, the noise and sight of which has been proven to deter elephants from breaking into farmers’ fields. We set up the third side of the fence with chilli rags. The fourth side of the soft barrier fence was comprised of flashing lights, a technique successfully used in Botswana.

In order to make visible and recognize the performance of good fishing practices and compliance with the Use Agreement between the community of Tumaradó and PNN Los Katíos, the Bocachico Festival was created, which in 2023 completes its XVI version. This is a traditional celebration that takes place in the community to promote the proper use of hydrobiological resources, especially bocachico; it is also carried out as an education and communication strategy aimed at organizational strengthening and lines of culture and governance.

This two-day event includes a variety of activities and contests for the whole community around the hydrobiological resource, such as catching the biggest fish, gastronomic dishes, the person who eats the most bocachico, canoeing, swimming, painting, trovas, weaving the net, fixing the fish, interviews with fishermen, among others. In 2020, diplomas were awarded to artisanal fishermen to honor their good work within the framework of the agreement.

En complemento al TDC, cumpliendo los Lineamientos de Sostenibilidad Financiera con apoyo de ANECAP y DRIS se apalancó proyectos de: fondos climáticos, cooperación Internacional, fondos concursables y alianzas con privados. Se inició con la promoción de la cadena de valor sostenible de cacao.

Con el liderazgo de la cogestión SERNANP-ECA AMARCY, se ha construido una estrategia integral de vigilancia de la RCY, su zona de amortiguamiento y su paisaje asociado, elaborando herramientas unificadas en coordinación con todas las instituciones responsables y promotoras de la vigilancia comunal.

Based on the results of the various protocols implemented in the Chriopt'îles project, management recommendations were formulated by the GCOI and presented to the TAAF, managers of the Eparses Islands.

Based on acoustic analyses and the hostile environment on Tromelin, the island does not appear to be home to any chiropteran species. No recommendations for management or further study are envisaged.

Despite the absence of chiropteran sounds in Europa's acoustic analyses, its history and local context suggest that chiropterans could still be present. It is planned to re-deploy the passive listening protocol over periods based on the dates of historical observations. Management recommendations will be made following this research.

2 species of chiropteran have been recorded on Grande Glorieuse, including the Taphien de Maurice and an undetermined species. The renewal of the passive acoustic protocol is envisaged in order to improve knowledge of the occupation of the territory by these species. Monthly visual monitoring of the coconut grove at the life base is also envisaged. The management of invasive exotic species on Filaos or Coconut trees must take into account the presence of these two species.

On each island concerned by the project, 2 SongMeter mini bat ultrasonic recorders were deployed during 2 listening sessions by 7 agents from the Terres australes et antarctiques françaises, previously trained by the GCOI in their use. The two listening sessions took place in winter (December-January) and austral summer (July-August), based on knowledge of the Taphien of Mauritius. Positioned for 5 nights, in 4 pre-selected habitat types, 20 listening nights per recorder and per session were recorded. In all, 240 listening nights were recorded on all the islands.

Sampling plans were based on data on the different types of environment present on the three islands, supplied by the Conservatoire Botanique National de Mascarin.

Once the recordings had been retrieved, the data were processed using a fixed-point protocol derived from the VigieChiro system managed by the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, enabling the chiropteran species recorded in the sound files to be determined. Once the sounds had been processed automatically, a manual acoustic analysis was carried out by GCOI employees to identify any species not detected by the software.

Development of an action plan after the SAGE process was very crucial as it ensured that recommendations provided in the SAGE process were addressed in a systematic and targeted manner whereby key stakeholders who participated in the SAGE process were also engaged in the action planning process hence, they drew the roadmap for implementation of those recommendations.

In addition, recommendations which came out of the SAGE process informed Honeyguide on areas of priority in designing WMA governance capacity building programs.

Small-scale fisheries face several challenges, one of the biggest and most important of which is obtaining information on the fishery. Particularly the information gaps in fisheries are reflected in the scarcity of knowledge on the state of the resource, the effects of the fishery on the ecosystem and the lack of compliance with existing regulations. This, in turn, makes it difficult to establish a solid baseline that explains the current state of the fishery and the way to improve its management and, in some cases, avoid its collapse. For the past couple of years, quantitative and qualitative data have been generated and shared among the fishing community, government, academia, and civil society organizations through Caribbean spiny lobster fishery monitoring. This allows inferences to be made about the health and population status of the species, the effects of extraction on the ecosystem, and compliance with national and regional regulations, implementing co-management based on the best available information. This represents the basis for implementing a fishery improvement project.

Collaboration with the local population has been a major factor in the success of anti-poaching operations, and must be maintained in order to strengthen confidence and build up the sources of intelligence essential for well-targeted actions in the Protected Areas (PA).

The objective of restoring public confidence in the security and defense forces (FDS) and creating a climate of serenity was 100% achieved under the project. The mixed units not only had access to eco-guards from the communities, but were also able to interact with the local population, exchanging ideas and restoring their confidence. This contact between the mixed units and the local populations was a unique opportunity that should be repeated.

Contact cells (intelligence cells) from the communities were also set up, with the overall mission of infiltrating the area covered by the PONASI complex in order to detect any suspicious poaching or criminal activity, and to quickly pass on information, process and analyze it, and initiate action or have it initiated.

Training was a key factor in the success of anti-poaching operations.

The different elements did not have the same working procedures, the same work rhythm or the same rigor.

The men all received technical and tactical training, as well as knowledge of wildlife and the forest environment. This training was highly beneficial, enabling the men to reinforce their knowledge in various fields (forest combat, combat first aid, IST, ISTC, navigation, operational motorcycle driving, camp defense, logistical and operational mission preparation, RETEX, etc.). A total of 10 operational training modules are delivered each time a force projection is planned.

The capacity-building achieved through the operations supported by the project should be maintained for future operations, as it fosters close collaboration and a climate of trust between the various units deployed.