Tag: marine conservation

From salsa to merengue: Cross-border collaboration for a cross-border problem

by Jen Chapman, Country Coordinator, Belize One of the main focuses of Blue Ventures’ work in Belize is the monitoring and management of invasive lionfish, Pterois volitans. This Indo-Pacific fish was first spotted off the coast of Florida in the...

/ Jul 2, 2014

A Madagascar Phenomenon: Baobab Trees

by Madison Kane, Expedition Manager, Madagascar  Anywhere you go you’ll see trees; from palms in the Caribbean to snowy pines in Canada,from  redwoods in California to eucalyptus in Australia. You name it, they’re all over. However, never had I seen...

/ Jun 28, 2014

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...

/ Jun 25, 2014

On the lionfish warpath with BV’s inaugural lionfish expedition!

by Meira Mizrahi, Field Scientist, Belize The start of a new expedition is always exciting; new surveys and sights, the anticipation of getting back to Bacalar Chico and into the beautiful Belizean waters, and the fresh and enthusiastic energy that...

/ Jun 23, 2014

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...

/ Jun 20, 2014

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...

/ Jun 19, 2014

Staff Q&A with Winnie Courtene-Jones, Field Scientist, Belize

In the latest instalment in our series of staff Q&As, we ask  Winnie Courtene-Jones, Field Scientist, Belize, some searching questions about science, conservation and superpowers… What is your academic/professional background? From a very early age I was fascinated by the...

/ Jun 13, 2014

Time to sail-a-brate at the Sarteneja Regatta!

by Silvia Parmeggiani, Community Officer, Belize Every year, as April begins, something changes in the village of Sarteneja. It is a slow change at first, but quite noticeable if you have lived here some months. Firstly, the fishermen return to...

/ Jun 11, 2014

Eco-labels and sustainability management in the Island of the Gods

By Olivia Kemp, Sustainable Fisheries Programme Manager, Madagascar Earlier this year I travelled to the Centre of the Universe. Or the island of Bali, Indonesia, as it is also known. The Balinese, who have a deeply rich culture, believe that...

/ Jun 7, 2014
Vik shaking hands with Sir Crispen Tickell, with David Chenier (President, UK, ConocoPhillips) and Professor Louise Richardson (Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews)

A victory for PHE: Blue Ventures wins the 2014 St Andrews Prize for the Environment

Against the elegant backdrop of the University of St Andrews, I spent an inspiring, exhausting, and at times terrifying three days, competing against two other finalists for the 2014 St Andrews Prize for the Environment.

/ Jun 4, 2014

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...

/ May 29, 2014

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...

/ May 16, 2014

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...

/ Apr 14, 2014

Notes from Nosy Mitseo, Madagascar: the legacy of the demand for shark fin

In Madagascar the traditional and artisanal fishery are defined by the type of boat and size of motor you use. Whilst this study focuses on sharks landed in the traditional fishery (non-motorised local sailing pirogues) which dominates south west Madagascar,...

/ Jan 2, 2014

Staff Q&A with Antoine Rougier, Aquaculture Advisor

In the fifteenth instalment in our series of Q&As with Blue Ventures staff, we ask Antoine Rougier, our Aquaculture Advisor (previously our Aquaculture Coordinator for 3 years in Madagascar), some searching questions about science, conservation and superpowers… What is your...

/ Dec 6, 2013