Madagascar’s northwest coast recognized as a KBA

Conservation scientists and international biodiversity organizations have confirmed the Tandavandriva – Nosy Be – Baie de Tsimipaika Complex as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) of global significance, underscoring its vital role in safeguarding threatened marine species—including the endangered whale shark (Rhincodon typus).

Spanning 4,822 km² of rich marine and coastal environments off northwest Madagascar, this now internationally recognized site supports a remarkable diversity of habitats—from coral reefs and seagrass meadows to productive neritic waters—that sustain a wide array of marine life.

The area has been designated a Key Biodiversity Area because of its importance as a feeding habitat for whale sharks, the world’s largest fish and an endangered species under the IUCN Red List. This triggered the D1a criteria, which identifies a site as a KBA when it is essential for a key ecological process, such as the seasonal feeding of a threatened species like whale sharks, making this site essential for their survival.

Beyond whale sharks, the site is home to numerous marine mammals, such as dugongs and critically endangered humpback dolphins, but also sea turtles, sharks, and rays, many of which are threatened or endangered, reflecting the unparalleled biological richness of Madagascar’s northwest seascape.

We are proud to have directly contributed data to this effort, led by the consultant GEF6-AMP in Madagascar. This designation reinforces international commitments to protect biodiversity and highlights the urgent need to ensure sustainable management of this globally significant marine ecosystem. Conservation efforts here not only protect key species but also support local communities through eco-tourism and resilient marine resources.