Madagascar – Diving and Marine Research

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, comprising an area as large as Spain and Portugal combined. There are rainforests on the island’s eastern coast , although many of them are disappearing and turning into agricultural land or Savanna grasslands.

Madagascar is considered one of the world’s most ecologically rich countries, with a landscape that varies significantly. The island has many species of flora and fauna not found anywhere else in the world, mainly due to the fact that the island has been inaccessible and cut off from the African continent for millions of years.

This project is located on the island of Nosy Be, in the village of Ambalahonko, which is in northwest Madagascar. Ambalahonko is a peaceful village with 40 households. They just recently welcomed the project team into their community and the relationship is growing strong. The project team (staff and volunteers) enjoys occasional Saturday night parties with the locals, attends occasional church or ceremonial gatherings, learns the local language and is even taught how to cook local dishes.

The local weather varies by season. The wet season is November to April and the climate will be very hot and humid. At the end of the rainy season, May to October, typical temperatures are 20-25°C at night, which can feel a bit chilly at times once you’ve acclimatized, and 25-30°C during the day.

During your placement you will be performing scuba and snorkel surveys, in which you will map coral, identify reef fish and invertebrates, study the behavior of fish and possibly see whale sharks. The data you collect will help create future management plans. Further project activities include surveying mangroves, which provide a vital buffer against storm surges caused by cyclones, and are an important part of the coastal ecosystem.

For the first couple of days on the project, you will be settling into camp, familiarizing yourself with the running of a remote field research station and you will be assigned various camp responsibilities.

The nature of our research requires you to identify a range of aquatic life, therefore, your first three weeks will follow a structured learning plan, including various tests, in order to get you qualified in survey techniques. Be prepared to put in a lot of work at this stage. On arrival to the camp you will undergo concurrent periods of dive training (if necessary) or basic surveying (for those trained in diving) and science training where you will have an intensive course learning fish, coral, algae and invertebrate species.

It is highly recommended if you are participating in the project for your studies or future career interests that you stay for a minimum of six weeks. Those staying four weeks or less will be trained in identification and methods including in water practice, but usually full surveying does not commence until Week 4 or 5. If you are able to join the project for only three weeks, your involvement in the surveys and conservation work will be limited.

Below is a basic list of activities and research techniques you will be using:

• Habitat mapping: our first priority is to provide a comprehensive, underwater map of the bay. This involves noting where we find sea grass, coral, sand, rock and other substances. This is conducted by small-boat reconnaissance, snorkeling and scuba diving.
• Mangrove mapping: you will look at the diversity in different mangrove stands.
• Fisheries studies: you will work with fishermen at fish landing sites to assess catch levels and composition. This gives us an idea of how healthy the fishery is and provides insights into long-term changes.
• Cetaceans: you will look out for whales and dolphins, making notes of incidental sightings, which will help the team design the long-term research plan.
• Coral Disease: you will look into the abundance and occurrence of coral diseases among the reefs to see if certain areas are more affected due to different environmental factors.

Your days as a part of this project will be busy. The work will be challenging, rewarding and fun. Your help will be of great benefit to the conservation of the fabulous coral reefs and you will gain immense satisfaction from knowing that you have helped protect these precious natural resources for future generations.

Internet: You will be in the field for the entirety of your expedition so please advise parents and friends that it will be very unlikely that you will be in touch regularly. You will be able to access emails if you choose to go to town on your day off (Saturday) but let your friends and family know that this access will be fairly irregular, as it won’t necessarily be possible to do this every weekend.

Laundry: No washing machines are available.

Accommodations: During your project you will live in a beach camp in locally built huts. Do not expect to find any luxuries such as electricity, beds or toilets. You will be sleeping on your roll mat in a sleeping bag. Overall camp has everything we need and the beautiful setting makes it a wonderful place to live.

Food: Food will be fairly basic – lots of rice and beans with some vegetables. Part of your role on camp will be to help with the cooking. Drinking and washing water comes from a tap in the village and is filtered and safe for drinking.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Ages 18 – 50
• Good level of English
• Immunizations (consult with your doctor)
• Good physical fitness
• PADI Open Water certified and PADI Advanced Open Water certified
• Mask, snorkel, booties, westsuit, dive compass and fins

For experienced divers, there are further dive courses available: PADI Emergency First Response, PADI Rescue Diver and PADI Divemaster qualifications. Prices for these courses are also available upon request.

Madagascar has spectacular natural beauty; it is home to thousands of plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world.
If you have time before or after your project, there are many travel opportunities, both near and far from Nosy Be.

Some suggestions include:

• Ranomafana National Park
• Masoala National Park
• Avenue of the Baobabs
• Isalo National Park