Introduction

During November 2011, a team of marine scientists and environmental reporters embarked on a pioneering research expedition along the remote west coast of Madagascar. Based aboard a traditional Malagasy wooden sailing dhow, the international team surveyed the health and biodiversity of the Barren Isles, a 100 km long chain of coral islands off the west coast of the Madagascar. The team worked above and below the water to support the conservation of one of the Mozambique Channel’s remotest and least known coral reef archipelagos.

Live map of the route

View Barren Isles exploratory expedition in a larger map

Expected itinerary

The expedition was at sea for three weeks, sailing from the town of Morondava. During the voyage marine biologists collected important scientific data, documenting local conservation issues, and raised awareness of the conservation value of marine resources. Throughout the voyage the expedition reported its findings online through this blog, also producing films and news reports documenting threats to the region’s spectacular marine life, and investigating the impacts of climate change on the archipelago’s fragile marine environment.

“This cruise will be the first of its kind in Madagascar, giving us an unprecedented opportunity to share our incredible marine heritage with the public & to engage people in communicating conservation messages.”

-Mialy Andriamahefazafy, Environmental Policy Officer

The eight-person team included international marine biologists, photographers, film-makers and journalists – all helping to increase environmental awareness by sharing stories about marine conservation issues through radio and film.

Images from the expedition

 

 

View all updates from the Barren Isles expedition »

 

Press coverage

• 13-Dec: L’express Madagascar (end of the expedition)
• 22-Nov: L’express Madagascar
• 22-Nov: L-express Madagascar (map)

 

Team members

Dr Alasdair Harris: I am a marine biologist based in Madagascar where my work focuses on supporting Blue Ventures’ various conservation initiatives around the island. Usually confined to a desk job in Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo, I am being allowed out of the office to board Nofy Be and help out on the expedition as a coral ecologist.

 

George (Bic) Manahira: Having dived recently in the Barren Islands I am looking forward to being part of the first team documenting their health and I am excited to return with photographs, films and stories that we can use to inspire others to learn more about this amazing place in which we live.

 

Charlie Gough: This research cruise to the Barren islands will be the first time that anyone has systematically explored and documented the status of the reefs of this region, and I’m looking forward to keeping you all updated with the characters, creatures and stories great and small that we encounter on our route!

 

Claude Farandriaka: Being part of this expedition to survey the Barren islands and communicate the results with the local community and the rest of the world will be an important event in my life. I look forward to learning a great deal with a multidisciplinary and professional team of scientists, reporters, and cameramen.

 

Dr Garth Cripps: I’m particularly interested in the human story behind conservation and followed the Vezo migration to the Barren Isles in 2009. Their migration epitomises many of the challenges that they face: driven by poverty and the collapse of their local fisheries, they sail thousands of kilometres from their homes to find still productive fishing grounds.

 

Jon Schleyer: This is my third trip to the west coast of Madagascar to see the great progress being made by the communities towards sustaining their marine resources. It is two and a half years since I was last in the area so I am excited to see what developments have occurred after my previous visit.

 

Mialy Andriamahefazafy: As the environmental policy officer I am in charge of ensuring that all our projects are evolving in a beneficial legal framework. This trip represents a very important opportunity. Through the different communications media that we will employ, we will be able to share the fabulous marine diversity that we see with the public.

 

Tanguy Nicolas: It is not easy to bring change in such a remote place – communication with the rest of the country is difficult. So having the opportunity to embark on a scientific expedition and share the outputs with the local community, using local radio and video, will be a positive fresh wind.

 

Thomas: I grew up in the Malagasy village of Andavadoaka with my three brothers and my very large Vezo family. I want to help the Vezo understand that if we can work together now, we can keep fishing in the future. As the fishermen run to find more fish, we will be running alongside to teach them.

 

Dr Yann Frejaville: This research cruise aboard the Nofy Be is a privilege and a unique opportunity to explore and study reefs presenting very low levels of fishing pressure – perhaps pristine reefs- an experience that has unfortunately become a rare and precious resource in the world.