So, welcome to our 1st real entry that launches you and us into the world of Blue Ventures blogging. This will serve as a brief overview to bring you up to speed about some of the activities and achievements of the Blue Ventures team.
Since 2002, Blue Ventures’ has immersed itself in Malagasy life in Andavadoaka, Southwest Madagascar. We have worked closely with the community at a number of levels, for example on a socio-economic level: introducing sustainable octopus fishing methodologies; and also on a personal level: teaching English to local school children.
Keen to maintain high environmental standards we came up with a cunning plan – on World Environment Day (June 5th 2005) a beach cleaning competition was organised for the Malagasy local children. This was eagerly participated in and gave an enjoyable dimension to a job that needed doing. Our major news however, is that Blue Ventures were among five winners of the Supporting Entrepreneurs for Environment and Development (SEED) Initiative Awards 2005 for its innovative contribution to sustainable development. This award is a real boost and demonstrates the recognition conservation and sustainable development are getting.
As the site is now between groups we don’t have any immediate news, however here’s a brief update of some events from Expedition 17:
27th August – Volleyball match against the Catholic Mission.
Catholic Mission won – just!
1st September – Ladies football match Blue Ventures v. Andavadoaka
ladies team. Andavadoaka won 2:1
11th September – Lamboara, a second village, are proposing to create an octopus no-take reserve from 1st December 2005 to 30th April 2006.
15th September – Andavadoaka residents met to discuss a second octopus no-take reserve.
There have also been regular sightings of Humpback whales – two in the lagoon very close to Andavadoaka rock. Also pods of over 100 dolphins have been seen.
So it’s been a hot expedition on the “Megafauna” front.
As for Expedition 18, we’ll have to wait for news and stories of what they’ll be getting up to….
