Category: Madagascar
The most valuable marine resources in Madagascar
by Fran Humber, Conservation Programmes Manager, UK I have just visited NW Madagascar, speaking to shark fishers and community members to explore the potential for expanding our mobile phone data collection on shark fisheries to this region. Up to this...
Staff Q&A with Florence Pichon, Maintirano & Barren Isles Project Coordinator
In the latest instalment in our series of staff Q&As, we ask Florence Pichon, Maintirano & Barren Isles Project Coordinator, some searching questions about science, conservation and superpowers… What is your job and academic background? I’m the Barren Isles project...
The most remarkable place…
by Drew Lindqvist, BV Volunteer, Madagascar I don’t know how to begin concerning a description of Andavadoaka, let alone Madagascar, except to say that it’s the most remarkable corner of the earth I’ve ever been invited to discover. It may...
A day in the life: Not your average Wednesday
by Madison Kane, Expedition Manager, Madagascar From the perspective of a staff member who was once a volunteer, I understand the ‘I’m-only-here-for-six-weeks’ feeling and making an effort to get everything you want done, in just 45 days. Knowing this feeling, we...
Staff Q&A with Katrina Dewar, Velondriake Project Coordinator
In the latest instalment in our series of staff Q&As, we ask Katrina Dewar, Velondriake Project Coordinator, some searching questions about science, conservation and superpowers… What is your academic/professional background? I have a BSc in Environmental Science from the University of...
Staff Q&A with Zo Andriamahenina, Blue Forests Research Technician
In the latest instalment in our series of staff Q&As, we ask Zo Andriamahenina, Blue Forests Research Technician, some searching questions about science, conservation and superpowers… What is your scientific background? I studied Sociology at the University of Antananarivo, during which time I did...
Thirsty for knowledge: community health worker training in Ankevo sur Mer
A recent review training session brought together all of the women working as community health agents in the Belo sur Mer area.
A theory of change: communities think critically about pathways to sustainable management
By Cicelin Rakotomahazo, blue forests socioeconomic scientist, Madagascar A few months ago, the blue forests team set out to facilitate a “Theory of Change” exercise with communities from nine villages in the Bay of Assassins, in the Velondriake locally managed marine area in southwest Madagascar. The Bay of...
Setting sail in Maintirano: the early days
by Florence Pichon, Barren Isles Project Coordinator, Maintirano, Madagascar I can hardly believe it’s been two months since I arrived in Maintirano; a sleepy, beautiful coastal town in western Madagascar. Settling in here as the new project coordinator for the...
Aquaculture under the stars in Tampolove
By Johanna Medvey, Blue Ventures volunteer, Andavadoaka, Madagascar We bump along the sandy tracks leading away from Andavadoaka, perched in our trusty ox carts as the sun rises and tinges the baobab trees pink. Our group of nine volunteers and three staff...
Sailing serenity: how to spend your day off in Andavadoaka
By Madison Kane, Expedition Manager, Andavadoaka, Madagascar If you stand at the top of the hill at Coco Beach (the base for Blue Ventures’ expedition volunteers in Andavadoaka) and admire the village down below, you see hundreds of wooden canoes...
Mangrove reserve openings in Belo sur Mer: a photo diary
By Jeremie Bossert, Belo sur Mer Conservation Coordinator, Madagascar Mangrove forests provide rich fishing grounds for many coastal people in western Madagascar. Blue Ventures first trialled mangrove reserves – temporary areas closed to all fishing – with the community of...
On the road: tales from your semi-nomadic Conservation Coordinator
By Brian Jones, Conservation Coordinator, Toliara, Madagascar (All photos courtesy of Brian Jones) After almost six years of living in remote villages throughout Madagascar, the modern amenities of Toliara, like hot showers and wifi, were a welcome relief when I...
Entering the third dimension in Belo sur Mer
By Jérémie Bossert, Belo Sur Mer Coordinator, Madagascar Finally Madagascar has a democratically elected president! Things here have a tendency to move slowly, be it getting an authorisation signed, ordering a new generator part, or even electing a president. However,...
Staff Q&A with Madison Kane, Expeditions Manager, Andavadoaka, Madagascar
In the twentieth instalment in our series of Q&As with Blue Ventures staff, we ask Madison Kane, Expeditions Manager, Andavadoaka, some searching questions about science, conservation and superpowers…