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Research & Conservation Institute

   
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MPA Reef Survey with MRCI

Author: Kirk Stewart
14 February 2018

MPA_Reef Survey_Dragons Den_19 February 2018

Evaluating MPA Reef Health

The marine program at MRCI has been evaluating, monitoring, and protecting the reefs of Nosy Komba and surrounding islands for several years. Rigorous surveys are conducted every month on reefs close to camp as well as the three artificial reefs that MRCI has constructed so far. Every single month there are no less than twenty surveys done by the marine staff and volunteers to examine everything from the comings and goings of the resident turtle population, to documenting and counting the invasive species on the reef. Surveys are performed near daily with the more experienced and knowledgeable volunteers going on the more difficult transect surveys. These surveys are performed on a twenty-meter line where every fish, coral, and urchin are counted to see how the diversity of marine life is changing over time, both in and out of the MPA. The data from these surveys has been shared with several other research organizations and also presented at several conferences. Several papers are also being written utilizing this survey data that will be submitted to scientific journals!

But there is much more being done than these surveys. Newer volunteers who are still learning about the marine life of Nosy Komba can assist in nudibranch hunts, coral bleaching studies, turtle surveys, and even the monitoring of our artificial reefs. Additionally, in the past few months baseline surveys have been performed around most of Nosy Komba. These surveys are performed opportunistically but allow volunteers to see more spots around Madagascar and help the team get a more complete understanding of the oceans health around northern Madagascar. Through this multitude of surveys, the marine team at MRCI has established itself as a trusted and reputable source of data and research.

But the marine program has more going on than only surveying. Recently, in an effort to add to the already existing three artificial reefs, the volunteers and staff worked together to design and build another artificial reef. Plans have only recently been finalized, but updates on the building and implementation will follow. The previous artificial reefs have already had an impressive proliferation of life come to them with the latest survey reporting back hundreds of oysters and clams, abundant algae and coral, and almost 1500 fish spread across 5 rebar pyramids. With this new artificial reef and lessons learned from previous designs we can only hope for a greater degree of success and information gained from their study.

Lastly, in a sign of good things to come, two medium size Napoleon or Humphead wrasse were seen this week. This species of fish is usually one of the first fish that will be eradicated in heavily fished areas and are also a great indicator or reef health. Their return to the reef not only shows that our MPA has been effective in restoring the health of the reef, but that it has reached a state that it can support these mammoth-like 6 feet long fish. Ever day volunteers are coming back seeing more and more different species of marine life and keystone predators like barracudas and jacks. A welcome sign that the MPA has had the restorative effects that were hoped for, and that the reef is beginning to flourish like it once did.

Read More About Our Marine Conservation Program

 

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Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute

4 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

1 week 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

2 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

4 weeks 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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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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