After arriving in Andavadoaka as a complete diving novice, I have completed my training to PADI Advanced Open Water level. I’ve passed the tests to allow me to contribute to BV’s science program by conducting Point Intersect Transects (PITs) and Invertebrate Belts (IBs) in which we survey and record the coral and invertebrates present on the reefs. Yesterday I was the first to carry out a PIT & IB on Tampolove patch reef, a newly designated site which has been included in the MPA set up by BV.
A group of us volunteers have initiated our own pet project in Andavadoaka village; painting a map of Madagascar and a map of the World
onto the walls of the local youth/ecology club as the children have no other access to geographical information. The local children are involved in drawing fish on the outside walls and painting them under our supervision; oil paint + excited children can make a huge mess! We are part-way through the painting, but by the time we leave in 2 weeks we hope to have a detailed map of Madagascar, a map of the world – indicating the continents and some individual countries, and a seascape on the outside wall – including a BV diver busy surveying the coral & fish!
Ben Cheesman (Volunteer)