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Marine Conservation Monthly Report

Author: Ethan Getz, Marine Science Manager
January 2018

Over the past few months, the marine conservation staff have worked to continue long-term reef monitoring projects while developing new methods to measure the health of our home reef and the surrounding reefs on Nosy Komba. Robust datasets have been collected from reef transect surveys, turtle watch, and nudibranch surveys. These long-term surveys will provide valuable information on the health of our MPA and some of the indicator species that inhabit it. In the coming months, efforts will be made to analyze these data in depth to decipher developing trends. While long-term data collection from existing surveys remains the primary goal, staff have also recently developed new reef survey methods.

Marine Conservation Monthly Report_Turtle Cove_JAN 2018_Coral Bleaching_1

Baseline surveys using the Spirit of Malala were developed in November to assess the health of reefs all around Nosy Komba. To date, three baseline surveys have been conducted (at xmas tree hotel, greenhouse and pyramids) and data have now been analyzed. Results suggest that the south and west sides of Nosy Komba have healthy coral reefs while reefs are more sparse on the eastern side. Results from the sessile surveys indicate that no coral bleaching is currently happening and that the reef appears to be in a period of recovery. The presence of rock, sand and silt indicate that there have been damaging events in the past, but currently the reefs are rebuilding.

Marine Conservation Monthly Report_Turtle Cove_JAN 2018_Coral Bleaching_2
Marine Conservation Monthly Report January 2018

Active swimmer surveys were used to determine the number of fish species at each site and which functional group they belong to (i.e. piscivores, herbivores, ect.). Results suggest that there is a good distribution of fish from each functional group on each reef, but the relatively low abundance of piscivores indicates that overfishing may be a problem on Nosy Komba.

Marine Conservation Monthly Report_Turtle Cove_JAN 2018_Coral Bleaching_3
Marine Conservation Monthly Report January 2018

These species are generally the first ones to be fished out and their relatively low numbers point to fishing pressure in the area. Benthic surveys also provided data on invertebrate diversity around Nosy Komba and suggest that there is a healthy reef community.

In addition to baseline surveys, artificial reef surveys on the pyramids at Stonehenge and Madhatter have produced meaningful data. On average, each pyramid provides habitat for 115 fish, 39 bivalves and a variety of sessile species. In addition, many species of fish such as the Malabar snapper and red emperor snapper are routinely found on the artificial structures, but only occasionally on the natural reef. The high abundance of juvenile fish on the pyramids is also an encouraging sign that the structures are acting as a nursery for fish larvae settling out of the water column. Overall, the pyramids seem to be increasing both abundance and diversity of many reef species making them well worth the investment to construct them.

Marine Conservation Monthly Report_Turtle Cove_JAN 2018_Coral Bleaching_4

Other ongoing projects include the coral bleaching surveys, invasive species surveys and turtle monitoring. Since coral bleaching and invasive species surveys have only just started, preliminary results will be analyzed in the coming months. Results from active turtle surveys, turtle walks and turtle watch are still being analyzed, but preliminary results suggest that there is a healthy population of resident turtles on our reef. Turtle walks have been less productive with only one hatched nest having been found, but it is clear that at least some turtles nest on Nosy Komba. In summary, the reefs around Nosy Komba appear to be showing the signs of human activities, but overall it is still a healthy reef system with strong community structure.

Marine Conservation Monthly Report_Turtle Cove_JAN 2018_Coral Bleaching_5

 

Find out more about our Marine Conservation Program Here

 

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

2 days ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Meet Solly, our much-loved Marine Conservation Officer.Solly’s dream is to become a PADI Diving Instructor.MRCI has undertaken to create this GoFundMe account in collaboration with Emily Borth to help Solly achieve his dream.Please donate and help us make Solly’s dream come true!The link can also be found in our story Highlights!https://gofund.me/176e591d ... See MoreSee Less

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2 weeks ago

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Look at the goodies we just recieved! As our volunteers and staff know, getting new eqipment, spare parts etc. is a real challenge! Luckily, @lunamoonsailing just arrived from South Africa, with a “boat-load” of spare parts, new aluminium tanks, a new generator and many other things! It feels like Christmas morning!#Madagascarvolunteer #mrci #nosybe #nosykomba #lunamoon ... See MoreSee Less

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1 month ago

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Thanks all for the funds that we received up until now ❤️ Solly has worked so hard to get where he is and we need your support now to achieving his final dream as a PADI Instructor in his professional diving career! 🎉If you feel like you could support Solly, click on the link below to donate! 🙏🏼🎉https://gofund.me/176e591d#madagascar #madagascarvolunteer #sollysdream #fundraiser #padiinstructor #PADIIDC2023 #PADIIDC2024 #paditv #localmarinebiologist #marineresearch #padiprofessional #futurecareer #gofundme ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

2 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Look at these cool finds from one of our recent drift dives! Have you ever seen a nudibranch feeding train? #madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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2 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Do you want to join our teaching program? We teach many different classes, at different levels and with many different age groups!In fact our classes are becoming so popular, that we have to double the number of classes per level! Join us via the link in our bio!#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
When we’re not exploring the island and surrounding reef, our volunteers prepare presentations to educate their fellow volunteers!Once presented on camp, we head to Be village, to present in a class filled with students who are eager to learn more about their surroundings!#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

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Look at this cool find! We see some cool stuff on our sunrise dives - yesterday we found 28 nudibranchs! Some of them over 14cm! #madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated #oceanconservation #marineconservation ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

3 months ago

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Sophie is teaching our local kids class🌞We love to see how the kids are so engaged and motivated to learn.To join our community program, check our link in bio! #madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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3 months ago

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Did you know we go on night hikes every week?Lots of creatures are mostly active at night and look at this cool find! #madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute is at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute.

3 months ago

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Meet our volunteer of the week Fionn! Along with forest officer Fedy and Donna, staff of the week!Fionn has been a great champion on Forest program and a great friend all around! 🦎#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Contact Us

Madagascar Office: Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute, Home Sakalava, Rue R Tsiomeko, Hell-Ville, Nosy Be, Madagascar
Phone: +261 32 50 891 57
Office Hours: Please take note of the time zone differences when contacting us.
Email: volunteer@madagascarvolunteer.com

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