Madagascar Expeditions
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Introduction
Madagascar is the 4th largest island in the world, and has been termed a "biodiversity hotspot" by ecologists, as 80% of the plant and animal species are unique to the island - a consequence of its 80 million year isolation.
In the tropical seas off the southwest coast of Madagascar lies the 4th largest coral reef in the world, the Grand Récif de Tuléar. Our research site is located next to it, on the most westerly point of the island.
Blue Ventures' field research & conservation projects are carried out by our overseas volunteers, who work closely with our field research scientists and camp staff. We are currently looking for overseas volunteers to work at our site in Andavadoaka.
Every 6 weeks a new team of volunteers arrives at the field site, ensuring year-round sustainability of our research in the region. We have, on average, 18 volunteers working at the camp, and we never have more than 2 volunteers per staff member.
In addition to volunteers, the camp comprises of Malagasy and international research scientists, as well as local and international Blue Ventures staff.
Our research aims to identify strategies and targets that Blue Ventures, local communities and local NGOs can work towards to develop sustainable local environmental management plans for these unique reef systems.
Click on the image above to watch a short video about volunteering with Blue Ventures
These plans will focus on improving the quality of life of the local communities who depend on these marine resources while maintaining the biological diversity and productivity of the reefs.
Considering potential threats to Andavadoaka’s reefs, and as a priority within the framework of the National Strategy for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Madagascar, it is now critical that data be gathered for use in local environmental management plans.
The work Blue Ventures is undertaking has significant importance both in terms of its impact on the ecology of the region and the role it plays in assisting the development of the local community. Blue Ventures’ project in Andavadoaka also fulfils one of the priorities of the International Coral Reef Initiative (UNEP & IUCN), which is to improve the amount and availability of data on coral reefs in the West Indian Ocean.
Download our volunteer guide
- Download our Volunteer Guide brochure for more information
- Check out the Gallery to see photo graphs of day-to-day life, diving and pictures from the surrounding communities and Madagascar.
Past Volunteers - How would you describe your Blue Ventures Experience?
"Amazing, impossible to describe, unlike anything or anywhere I have ever been before, a great learning experience, a true experience of a lifetime" - Nicola Reeve, July 2006
“Wow...a chance to learn first hand about the threats to our precious marine environment - coral reefs in particular - and to see how committed individuals - under the leadership and direction of Blue Ventures - are making a difference. And of course the opportunity to be a part of that.” - Carol Armstrong, September 2007
If you wish to find out more about our previous volunteers (such as gap year students, university students, career breakers, families, couples & Indian Ocean scholars), please visit Day in the Life.