Marine conservation expedition, Madagascar

Assist an international team of marine biologists, field scientists and sociologists

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Duration

3-12 weeks

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Price

£2875 (6 weeks) Includes dive training

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Location

Andavadoaka

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Provider

Blue Ventures

In brief

Volunteer with Blue Ventures in our remote research and expedition camp in Madagascar and assist surveying one of the most spectacular ecosystems of the Indian Ocean.

Based in the remote fishing village of Andavadoaka on Madagascar’s southwest coast, our dive expeditions offer volunteers from around the world a unique opportunity to get involved with Blue Ventures’ marine research and community conservation work.

Learn to identify the elegantly swaying soft corals, the lacy gorgonian fans or any one of the 150 plus species of colourful fish frequenting the dive sites. Your dive experience will be rich and rewarding once you are able to tell the difference between the species living in the ecosystem you are helping to conserve.

Whether a dive novice, experienced SCUBA diver, budding scientist or newcomer to the field of marine conservation you are welcome and able to support and contribute to our marine research and conservation work.

During the first two to four weeks of every expedition our field scientists take you through a well-structured and intensive science training, which provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out research dives. The training involves numerous snorkelling and diving excursions as well as informal lectures, small group discussions and practical exercises on coral and fish species identification. Depending on your dive level when joining us, during the science training you can also learn how to dive and if you wish, advance your diving skills by completing further dive certifications..

Once you have reached PADI Advanced Open Water level and passed your science training you will carry out one to two dives a day collecting relevant reef data. You will be diving 5 days a week with Saturday’s off for community conservation work and Sunday as a rest day.

During underwater research dives you collect critical marine inventory data, which feed into published reports and scientific papers about the state of Madagascar’s coral reefs. This research helps inform local communities, non-governmental organisations and marine institutes towards implementing and maintaining sustainable local environmental management plans. Thereby you will contribute to the further development of Blue Ventures’ efforts to support coastal communities in marine conservation.

“An amazing and eye opening experience, increasing my environmental awareness and an opportunity to truly immerse myself in a different community and way of life. It will continue to impact my life long after I leave.” – Kirsten Lafferty, 2017 Madagascar volunteer.

“It was a great experience to witness first-hand the enormous impact BV has on the local community here and a privileged to contribute. I learnt a great deal on this expedition and it is an experience I will never forget” – Amol Lotlikar, 2017 Madagascar volunteer.

Expedition volunteers are at the heart of everything we do and we’d love to have you join us!

Website: Marine conservation expedition, Madagascar

Interested? Then make an enquiry.

Email: [email protected]