Across the Western Indian Ocean, many vulnerable social groups largely depend on marine resources for their food security and livelihoods. The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (SwAM) and the IOC Sub-Com-mission for Africa and the Adjacent Island States (IOCAFRICA) support the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in this region. This report provides an overview of three pilot cases of baseline data collection to better understand local communities’ dependence on marine resources and other livelihood activities, with emphasis on understanding the role of marine spatial zonation and resource management on poverty and gender equality. Pilot studies were conducted in Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar. In Kenya, the study focused on Kwale county which is the southernmost coastal county bordering the Tanzanian study area in the south. In Tanzania, the study area was the Mkinga District within Tanga Region, which is in the northeast of Tanzania. In Madagascar, the study areas comprised three coastal bays in the north western regions of Boeny and Sofia, namely Bombetoka, Mahajamba and Sahamalaza Bays.