Category: Locations

Homestays in Andavadoaka: a unique opportunity

Lesley Wicks, one of the first volunteers to experience the Homestay programme in Andavadoaka, gives her perspective on the experience, and some useful advice!

/ Apr 20, 2017

Realising our potential: scholars in profile – Stephan

Stephan Maheny Denis has such a positive outlook on life that you would never guess the hardships he and his family have endured. His story perfectly exemplifies the thirst for knowledge, against all the odds, of many young people in...

/ Apr 12, 2017

Grounded in evidence: monitoring octopus fisheries in Indonesia

Abigail Leadbeater and Charlie Gough from the Blue Ventures Monitoring and Evaluation team recently visited our new partners in Sulawesi to support them in their implementation of octopus fisheries monitoring

/ Apr 6, 2017

Realising our potential: scholars in profile – Narison

The first blog in a new "Scholars in Profile" series marking the 10 year anniversary of our Education programme supporting youth in the Velondriake area.

/ Mar 30, 2017

Tinan ida iha Timor-Lorosae: a year in Timor-Leste

In January 2016, Sean Clement was arriving in Timor-Leste for the first time, and now he reflects on a remarkable year on Ataúro Island that has laid the foundations for a bright future.

/ Mar 22, 2017

What does kung fu have to do with octopus fishing?

The making of “Tovo the octopus gleaner”, a Vezo film featuring intense kung fu action and a mysterious octopus mermaid designed to spread good fisheries practices!

/ Mar 14, 2017

From Banggai cardinalfish to octopus: kickstarting community conservation in Indonesia

LINI, our inspirational new partner, is developing a new catalyst for conservation on Banggai Island, Sulawesi

/ Mar 8, 2017

From Ataúro to Raja Ampat: a homestay adventure

Homestays offer a way for coastal communities to diversify and strengthen alternative livelihoods, providing a clear and measurable link between protecting the environment and the economic benefits that tourism can bring.

/ Mar 1, 2017

Dingadigana: an alternative livelihood opportunity in northwest Madagascar

As fisheries face unprecedented pressures, coastal communities are looking for economic opportunities beyond fishing. The villages of Ambiky and Ambolobozo have responded with an innovative and promising new aquaculture project: sea cucumber farming.

/ Feb 22, 2017

Checking the pulse of Washington DC

A conference trip to Washington by Blue Ventures’ Medical Director Vik Mohan provides an insight into how the international development community might respond to the new US administration.

/ Feb 9, 2017

Talking octopus: conservation conversations on Darawa Island

Nusi is a charismatic conservationist whose passion for her work is infectious. She is a member of community organisation Forkani who, with Blue Ventures’ support, are working to improve the management of the vital octopus fishery on Darawa Island in...

/ Feb 1, 2017

Learning on the job: Tyrell’s journey to reef conservation

Tyrell Reyes, our Science Coordinator in Belize, tells the story of how his evolving role with Blue Ventures has given him opportunities to contribute to the conservation of his country’s coral reefs.

/ Jan 26, 2017

A year of self critique and tough decisions

Over the past year, three of our senior staff in Madagascar have been working with the Earth Skills Network to reflect on, and improve, the management of our conservation programmes.

/ Jan 19, 2017

Tackling childhood illness in Madagascar

In partnership with Madagascar's Ministry of Health and USAID Mikolo, Blue Ventures is training and supporting women in and around the Velondriake area to manage common childhood illnesses.

/ Jan 11, 2017

Water between the rocks: a volunteer’s experience of Sarteneja

Before heading off to the gorgeous but isolated Bacalar Chico Dive Camp, Blue Ventures’ Belize volunteers spend some time in the coastal village of Sarteneja for a more immersive experience of the country’s people and culture. This is Tom Smart’s...

/ Jan 4, 2017