Construction of another artificial reef started a couple of weeks ago with the purchase of cement and donation of porous rocks. These would make up the base structures to which we would attach coral polyps, ready to grow into a self-sustaining reef

Over the course of the week our marine team, led by Roshan, Emma, Antonia and Alex, have worked hard to build over 20 dome structures. In order to do this, they first had to dig a hole in the sand, high up the beach so that only very high tides would potentially fill them in. Each hole was shaped and patted down to create a smooth surface before it could be filled with our cement mixture. This was then patted into the holes to create slightly varied styles of domes. Each dome had to have some arches to allow both water current and sea life to enter and flow through them. Small holes were added throughout the drying domes as another way of allowing some current flow, and also as a necessary part of the structure that would allow us to attach the Polyps.

After allowing the mixture to set overnight, the marine team returned to dig up each dome and move them to a dry zone. Here they were rinsed repeatedly with fresh water. This process helps to ensure the mixture continues to harden without causing any cracks. Seven or eight structures were built each day until the required materials were used up.

On Saturday, 18th March, Francois Gilbert, the General Director of Madagascar’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, joined us here on Nosy Komba, along with over 100 other government officials and guests to participate in attaching the polyps to our concrete domes. Just under 100 polyps, plus an adhesive were provided by Markus (the owner of Marine Aquaculture Nosy Be) to use for this process.

The polyps were already attached to mini concrete circles so the glue was applied to this before being placed on the dome. The coral polyps were spaced approximately 20cm away from each other. Since there were a mixture of hard and soft corals, these needed to be grouped together separately to maximise their growth.

As wells as MRCI staff, volunteers, and guests, a media crew was also on site filming the event and doing interviews. This means that the conservation work and the importance of the MPA and the coral reef for boosting biodiversity and fishing opportunities, will hopefully reach the wider local community. This will help them understand and perhaps aid our work in the future.

Since the event, the marine team has continued to work hard every day, attaching many more polyps to more of the dome structures and transporting them out into deep waters. There are currently 12 completed domes in the deep water, with more being added this week.

The marine staff and volunteers at MRCI will be closely monitoring the artificial reefs over the next few weeks in the hope that they will develop into a fully self-sustaining organism. During this trial period, the marine team will be monitoring indicators of stress, damage and the physical conditions. This is to allow the planting methodology to be adapted and improved, if necessary, to increase the survivability of any subsequent structures that are built and added to the reef system.

A huge thank you to our partners in this project, Marine Aquaculture Nosy Be and CNRO, for involving MRCI and aiding us throughout the building of the artificial reef.

If you would like to find out how you can join our marine conservation program, contact us today!

At Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute, we are always striving to improve the lives of the people we come into contact with on the island.  Our latest project is to build a school.  Our community development volunteers, along with many of the local people from the village, are in the process of building the school for Andrekareka Be on Nosy Komba.

Andrekareka Be is an amazing little community with awesome people just 20 minutes away from the research centre.  The children of Andrekareka Be currently walk for an hour over rough terrain to the nearby villages of Ampangorina or Kely to attend classes, so they are extremely excited about having their own school.  They have been working on the school for the last 7 weeks, and it is finally nearing completion.

The money to build the school has been raised and donated by a school in Texas through one of our interns. Another volunteer, Chloe Stewart, has set up a Go Fund Me page for tables, chairs, blackboards, and other supplies to furnish the school once it is built.   Progress is going very well, but there are still a few more building supplies to purchase before our project is completed.

If you would like to support us in this final stretch of bringing this school to life, please visit the Go Fund Me page here.

Contact us today to find out how you can join our volunteer programs in Madagascar.

We are constantly amazed at the passion and dedication of our volunteers to the community they work with in Madagascar.  A former volunteer, Taylor, shares her experiences:

“I arrived at the Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute (MRCI) basecamp on Nosy Komba, Madagascar December 6, 2016. At this point I had no clue what was in store for me and did not anticipate falling in love with a culture and its people the way I did. Coming into camp as an English teacher, I learned that I was also placed under a broader category of volunteers titled “Community,” and was soon challenged to create a community-based project. Although it took some time to come up with an attainable project, I finally proposed the idea of raising money to purchase sporting equipment for local schools. A few particular events sparked this idea.

Not long after I arrived, the community team, myself included, donated money to purchase supplies to fix up a local village’s basketball court. Since the court has been fixed, games have brought the community together on a daily basis. This particular event resonated with me as I grew up playing various sports where local teams thrived off of community involvement and spirit. In addition, it made me realize how easily things such as gymnasiums, organized practices, coaches, and equipment availability can be taken for granted. I knew I wanted work on a project that would benefit a community and I had to tie it to something that locals were passionate about. It then dawned on me; we were able to bring the community of Ampangorina together by simply aiding the people with needed supplies, which in turn allowed them to come together through sport. After talking with the community coordinator and ranting about my hometowns community spirit, I knew I needed to ask for help.

I was raised in Drumheller, Alberta, a small town in Western Canada. Growing up here, it was quickly learned what it meant to be a part of a small community. This community has come together on various occasions when either a family or an organization was in need of support. Having been given the opportunity to play and be a part of multiple school teams growing up, I was able to establish interpersonal relationships not only with team members, but also with coaches and teachers. Knowing how my community has come together in the past to help those in need, I knew I could reach back to my roots for support.

I soon contacted the principal of the high school I attended, Drumheller Valley Secondary School (DVSS), and proposed my goal and challenge to the schools current students. I wanted to challenge students of DVSS to each donate just one loonie ($1.00CAD) in hopes to raise enough money to purchase just one sports ball per school on the island of Nosy Komba. We set the initial goal at $350.00CAD. The principal, Mr. LaPierre, agreed that this would be a great learning experience and opportunity for students to help fellow students. The plan was then quickly put into action. Mr. LaPierre challenged all students to bring in $1.00CAD where he would then reward the class who raised the most money with a pizza party.

It was clear that the students were more than ambitious to help out their peers on the other side of the world. In two days’ time, the students and staff of DVSS raised $695.00 CAD. I was ecstatic when I was notified that our initial goal was essentially doubled. This enabled myself, with the help of staff and fellow volunteers to venture out and purchase the sporting equipment!

With the money raised, we were able to purchase a total of 28 soccer balls, 14 regular basketballs, 4 small basketballs, 15 small rubber balls and 5 pumps.  In addition, we were able put money towards a boat and skippers in order to easily transport and deliver the sporting equipment. Balls were delivered to all schools and villages on Nosy Komba as well as schools on Nosy Be.

Delivering the equipment was a heartfelt and gratifying experience. I was truly moved by just how grateful and happy students, teachers and villagers were by something as simple as one or two sport balls. I also cannot express how amazed I am by everyone that came together to accomplish the proposed fundraiser. The students of DVSS proved yet again just what the town of Drumheller is able to accomplish when they come together. The students of DVSS invested their own money in order to allow students in Madagascar the opportunity to come together as a community through sport. One person can feel small alright, especially when you venture into the wide open world. However, this project has shown that if each one of us do a little bit, bigger things can happen. This idea was made a reality thanks to the students and staff of DVSS along with the staff of MRCI and the community of Nosy Komba”.

If you would like to find out how you can join us in making a difference, contact us today.