Posted on October, 06 2017

ISSA Tsimiaro III is the King of the Antakarana people of Madagascar. His traditional and spiritual authority is respected and recognized from the west of the district of Ambilobe through Diego Suarez to the SAVA region (Sambava, Antalaha, Vohémar Andapa).
 
He is very aware of his role, especially after his participation to a capacity building initiative on advocacy supported by WWF in September. "As a King, my job is not patrolling with rangers to survey our forests. I have complete confidence in the "polisinala" (rangers) of our communities, "said Tsimiaro III. "My role is to advocate, to explain to our people why when we manage our forests, we must think ahead. We must know the best way to manage them so they will last, " he said.
 
His commitment is a very much welcomed support for small-scale fishermen and communities managing mangroves in Ambaro Bay. These communities of small-scale fishers have decided to regroup since 2017 in the Federation of Fishermen’s Unions in the Ambaro Bay, Tsimipaika, Ampasindava and Nosy-Be (FUP BATAN). Long live to the King Tsimiaro III.