Madagascar Volunteer

Research & Conservation Institute

   
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Marine Conservation

Each volunteer on the Marine Conservation project has the opportunity to join a variety of conservation efforts focused on the protection of the marine ecosystem in Madagascar.

Volunteers work in collaboration with and on behalf of a number of oceanographic organisations to gather vital raw data through a number of initiatives, including:

  • Nudibranch Research
    • Through surveys using scuba diving equipment we are able to provide data to determine the species density and biodiversity of nudibranchs in the area as well as associated substrates.
  • Turtle Monitoring
    • Identification – The main aim for our Turtle Identification & Monitoring Project is to establish an estimated inventory of turtles using the reef surrounding Nosy Komba. The identification of individuals within a population is the preliminary step in the ecological study of a species.
    • Census – Through snorkel surveys and visual monitoring we are able to establish an annual population census. Here we can determine the frequency and population strength of the varying species of turtle that visit the area.
    • Nesting – During the nesting season we keep watch for females laying eggs and hatchlings making their way to the sea. Our aim is to monitor breeding and protect nests from any disturbance.
  • Reef Surveying
    • Monitoring the biodiversity, health and growth of the reef system surrounding Nosy Komba, This is achieved through fish, invertebrate and coral surveys using scuba diving equipment.
  • Beach Clean Ups
    • Clean beaches help save the lives of marine animals that are caught in and/or eat marine litter as well as removing synthetic, damaging material from the ecosystem. This data is being collected for an international research project being run by University of Cape Town, monitoring ocean waste across the Indian Ocean.
  • Community
    • We work to provide education to the local community about environmental issues, conservation and the protection of biodiversity and marine resources such as food.
  • Artificial Reef
    • Through reef regeneration by coral propagation and litter removal on our artificial reef structures we can aim to increase the coral reef size and health in the area, thus providing more habitat space for reef fish.
  • Marine Protected Area
    • Turtle towers, the house reef at Turtle Cove, became a marine protected area in November 2016. Volunteers are working to monitor the impact of the protection on marine life.
    • We work to explain the importance of the protected area to local fishermen and stop them fishing on that area of reef.

Volunteers receive comprehensive training to prepare them to undertake research-based activities at sea. This involves identification training for marine wildlife, including turtles, fish, corals and invertebrates. Volunteers are also taught the methodology of coral baseline surveying, a key skill in marine conservation as a universal approach to monitoring the state of coral reefs.

Volunteers participating on the Marine Conservation project must have an Open Water Dive Certification as well as an Advanced Open Water Dive Certification to survey. If you are applying for the Marine Conservation project in Madagascar, please specify whether you require any dive training. PADI diving courses can be completed with us in Madagascar at our MRCI Diving School.

Please note, this project has a minimum duration of 4 weeks to allow sufficient time to complete the dive and marine research training required to participate on the project.

All marine conservation volunteers are required to bring the following items to Madagascar, as these are not available for purchase on the island of Nosy Komba:

  • PADI crew packs / Manuals for the relevant course(s)
  • Snorkel and mask (with tempered glass)
  • Fins (open heel with booties are more comfortable for frequent use)
  • Wetsuit (long or short, 3mm minimum)
  • Surface marker buoy (DSMB)
  • Reel (a small finger reel will be adequate)
  • Waterproof watch
  • Dive compass
  • Log book

Visit our MRCI Diving School page for more information on our PADI diving courses.

For more information on our Marine Conservation Programs, contact us today!

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Recent Posts

  • Marine Conservation Team: Solly
  • Volunteering in Madagascar during a Pandemic
  • Mitsios Boat Trip
  • Dive Certification Well Earned
Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

6 days ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Join us in Marine program and explore and learn this sea slug biodiversity in our home reef! 🔥☺️#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #turtletowerhomereef #nudibranch #seaslug #marineprogram #conservation #biodiversity #indicatorspecies #importantrole #marinelife ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

2 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
It was a good week to say hi to everyone from us with a cool drone shot by @dadsonnnnnnn 🎉🥳 #madagascarvolunteer #volunteer #volunteering #goodweek #volunteeringisfun #turtlecove #itsthewibe ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

2 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Meet Solly, our much-loved Marine Conservation Officer at Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute (MRCI). Growing up in a small rural fishing community in northern Madagascar, he has always had a deep connection to the oceanSoon after completing his higher education, Solly enrolled in the University of North Antsiranana where he earned a Master’s Degree in Marine SciencesIn 2019, Solly was accepted as a marine intern at MRCI. With his amazing attitude, work ethic and enthusiasm, he was quickly promoted to Marine Conservation OfficerSolly’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 by click the link below! 🙏🏼☺️https://gofund.me/176e591dPhoto credit : @hello_socialbutterfly 🌸#madagascar #madagascarvolunteer #solly’sdream #fundraiser #padiinstructor #PADIIDC2023 #PADIIDC2024 #paditv #localmarinebiologist #marineresearch #padiprofessional #futurecareer #gofundme ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

3 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Hiiii volunteers of the week! 🥰Shoutout to community and construction team and also Jeronimo for showing the dignity, commitment, passion to the program and most important to the people in the village!We are lucky to have you all here at our camp 🎉Join us? Click link on bio 🐣#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteeroftheweek #volunteering #community #teachingenglish #construction #buildingtrashsystem #paintingtheschool #forkids #forlocals #communityengagement ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

3 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
We are glad to share that our community library in Ampangorina village has been refurbished by our community volunteers, staff and help from little hands! ☺️In many of the village in Madagascar, young people have little to no access to reading materials, we hope by keep adding books to our community library can improve in children’s literacyThanks to our volunteers that donated the books, your help and support is always appreciated 😇🌸#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #community #communitylibrary #forchildren #local #books #donatedbooks #improvingchildrenliteracy #communitydevelopment ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

4 weeks ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Hello teachers! 🎉Our community program is strong as we have a lot of volunteers that are passionate to give what they have to the local community in the village by teaching english, from the kids classes to adult classes, beginner to intermediate level! Its very rewarding when you come to Madagascar with a purpose and leave knowing you made a positive impact! 🎉❤️Join us on the Community program, click link on bio! 🔥#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #teachers #english #beginnerclass #intermediateclass #learning #education #forlocals #impact #purpose #communityeducation #engagement #volunteeringisfun ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

1 month ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Congratulations Jack-ie Chan and Daan 🎉 Thanks for bringing a lot of good mood and joy to the camp, also for your consistent contribution in Forest program and Marine program, we glad to have you guys around and leave with an impact! Volunteering with us click link on bio!#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #volunteer #volunteering #forlocal #saveplanet #saveocean #sustainable #volunteeringisfun #volunteeroftheweek #conservation #motivated ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

1 month ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Today we went to the shipwreck for a dive that called mitsio wreck🛥 located not too far from Nosy Komba only 35min boat drive!And please meet the toxic trio (Stone fish, Lion fish as well Scorpion fish)! Can you guys spotted it? 🙈 they are incredibly well camouflaged and sometimes even use biofluorescence (glowing with a different color) to blend into their environment 🥰These carnivores got their name from the many toxic spikes and spines across their bodies. The venom from these contains powerful neurotoxins that can be extremely painful, and even deadly. And yes, that goes for humans too!We also wants to congratulate Gorka & Emily for finishing their Advance Open Water course and now its time to learn more about our ocean and help us to carry the survey as soon as they develop our @conservationdiverofficial EMP course in Marine Program! 🥳Join us? Click link on our bio 🎉#madagascar #madagascarvolunteer #marineconservation #mitsiowreck #stonefish #lionfish #scorpionfish #biodiversity #marinelife #conservation #citizenscientist #marineconservationist #practicesurvey ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

1 month ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Job Opportunity in Madagascar at Madagascar Research Conservation Institute (MRCI)!We are looking for PADI Dive Instructor 🤿 who wants to join our team and amazing project in Marine Conservation program which you’ll be able to grow in person with us!We are looking a responsible person who is passionate about diving, strong background of conservation, PADI renewed instructor who is able to teach and followed all the safety standard of diving from Open Water up to Dive Master, and able to service and maintain all diving equipment 🌊Applicants who have completed Conservation Diver internship or Instructor training will be looked upon more favorable as the role will eventually teaching of @conservationdiverofficial course, even some experience in remote areas! What we offer is basic salary, commission on courses, 3 meals a day, accommodation and visas are provided. We are looking to fill this role as soon as possible, get in touch and please send your CV to Wendy@madagascarvolunteer.com ! ... See MoreSee Less

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

1 month ago

Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute
Our marine volunteers are in the water to do practice survey with their EMP course with Solly our local marine biologist!Everyday our volunteers will start the lecture on the topic’s how to monitoring our key indicator species of Invertebrates, Fish, and assess the bottom composition including coral and their state of health followed by a dive to put the theory into the practical 🎉 Our instructor will do debrief after the dive, talking about the struggle that they’ve encountered and give volunteers better understanding more about the ecology of our local reef. Join us in Marine program and help us to raise awareness and be a citizen scientist wherever you go! 🔥And if you feel you can help Solly to achieve his dream to be PADI dive instructor to develop his professional career please share or donate by click the link below, we do really appreciate all the help! 🎉😍https://gofund.me/176e591d#madagascarvolunteer #madagascar #conservation #citizenscientist #marine #conservationdiver #marinebiologist #supportcommunity #staffdevelopment #EMPcourse #ecology #reefmonitoring #practicesurvey #solly’sdream #fundraiser #padiinstructor #PADIIDC2023 #PADIIDC2024 #paditv #localmarinebiologist #marineresearch #padiprofessional #futurecareer #gofundme ... 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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Teaching | Marine Conservation | Forest Conservation | Combinations

Disclaimer:  We reserve the right to change our Volunteer Programs at any time, without prior notice.