Counting for conservation: the Belize National Lionfish Survey
Science Interns Julia Rubin and Anna Simmons recall 3 months spent surveying 50 different reef sites across 5 of Belize’s marine reserves.
From Madagascar to Mexico: shared experience, stronger fisheries
Whether you call it pulpo, horita or octopus, community exchanges help build stronger fisheries and new perspectives for coastal communities.
A melting pot of cultures – Quifuki Island life
Despite its isolation off the north coast of Mozambique, Quifuki Island continues to attract migrant fishermen and traders from far afield, creating a unique and bustling atmosphere.
The Caribbean Spiny Lobster: our Belize volunteers learn from an expert
From fishery closures to how to measure a carapace, our volunteers found out everything they could ever have wanted about the Caribbean Spiny Lobster!
Freediving fishers on a mission to map Barren Isles seagrass beds
Participatory mapping reaps dividends in the largest locally led marine protected area in the Western Indian Ocean.
Corals in crisis: monitoring the third global bleaching event in southwest Madagascar
This summer Blue Ventures volunteers and staff in the remote fishing village of Andavadoaka in southwest Madagascar have been enjoying warm waters and calm weather. However, beneath the waves the picture is less idyllic. Where once we dived on reefs...
Working across sectors for real change: community health workers advance marine management in their villages
As communities in Velondriake voted an unprecedented proportion of women and youth into the committee governing their locally managed marine area, our teams in Belo sur Mer and Maintirano have been busy training community health workers to engage more people in...
New beginnings across the Mozambique Channel
Support partnerships with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and Peace Parks Foundation are set to integrate community health services into coastal resource management efforts in two of Mozambique’s most critical marine ecosystems.
Talking tara bandu: witnessing a marine milestone on Ataúro
Witnessing a marine milestone for locally led conservation in the Coral Triangle
Elections bring new leaders and energy to governing Madagascar’s first locally managed marine area
Women and youth now make up a resounding 85% of Velondriake’s management structure! As turmoil returned to Malagasy high politics last month, the Velondriake Association – responsible for the governance of Madagascar’s flagship Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) – demonstrated...
Velondriake villages stake their claim to mangrove conservation
This week sees both International Forests Day and World Water Day - what better way to explore the intertwined nature of the two than celebrating mangroves - incredible areas where the forest meets the sea.
Exploring Dili – diak ka lae?
Good or not? As our team in Timor-Leste gets ready to welcome our first volunteers, Sean reflects on his first few weeks in his new home town. Good, definitely good.
Celebrating our staff on International Women’s Day
We ask 5 of our staff in Madagascar about the best bits of working in conservation, what excites and challenges them, and what their hopes and fears for the future are.
Unrivaled: a celebration day for the girls club of Andavadoaka
Women in Velondriake are becoming increasingly dynamic and motivated to make change, and girls are, at the same time, the result and the future of this expanding movement.
Life as a BV volunteer in Belize
Michael volunteered with Blue Ventures in Belize in November 2015. Find out about his experience from hitting the books to hitting the water.