Madagascar shares an ordinary history of colonization with many other countries, yet it has the potential for an extraordinary future. Today's environmental crisis threatens the wildlife, land, and people of Madagascar, an island with unparalleled endemism and invaluable natural resources. This thesis explores the ongoing effects of colonialism, particularly by the French, on modern-day marine conservation in Madagascar. Marine environments surrounding the island are significant providers of ecological functions and services, as well as essential sources for the Malagasy fishing industry. To this day, colonial nations dominate both the causes and solutions of marine ecosystem degradation. Decolonization is fundamental to ecological and economic success in Madagascar and other formerly-colonized nations. Accomplishing environmental decolonization requires setting aside Euro-centric perspectives of nature and prioritizing Indigenous conservation management.