We collaborate with a diverse range of international and Malagasy organisations
The Darwin Initiative is a UK government grants scheme run by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It has been funding our sustainable livelihoods and turtle conservation programme since 2014. This funding has been instrumental in the implementation, expansion, and success of our aquaculture projects.
The Rufford Small Grants Foundation has provided valuable funding for our turtle fishery monitoring and management project since 2008.
The Madagascar Regional Foundation for Agriculture Development (Fonds Régional du Développement Agricole; FRDA) is our collaborative aquaculture partner. They have funded our aquaculture programme since 2015, providing integral support to community farmers. The FRDA also works closely with us on areas of sustainable resource management, coastal rehabilitation, and community development.
The Fisheries and Marine Sciences Institute (Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines; IHSM) at the University of Toliara is our main collaborating project partner for the Bay of Ranobe. We have been working them since our inception in 2002 on various marine research conservation projects. We provide dive and surveying methodology training to IHSM students, and facilitate their research projects. We have also employed many IHSM postgraduate students over the years.
We collaborate with the office of the Chief of the South-West Region to promote the development of communities and sustainable use of marine resources. This partnership ensures an aligned and cohesive vision for the sustainable growth of the region.
Indian Ocean Trepang is a private sector organisation that collaborates with us on our sustainable livelihoods programme in the Bay of Ranobe. As well as providing juvenile sea cucumbers produced in their hatchery, IOT supports our expansion of the community sea cucumber farming model, allowing the number of beneficiaries to be significantly increased.
Copefrito is an international fisheries exporter that prepares and exports farmed sea cucumbers and seaweed from our community aquaculture programme to overseas markets. As well as providing market access for project participants, Copefrito also provides invaluable technical advice and farming support to communities.
The Madagascar Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (Ministère de la Pêche et des Ressources Halieutiques; MRHP) provides ministerial support for many of our projects, especially the sustainable livelihoods/aquaculture, marine turtle protection, sustainable fisheries, and artificial reef activities. We provide MRHP with invaluable information regarding the fisheries within the Bay of Ranobe, and have assisted them with the implementation of the first fishing licenses for the region.
The Madagascar Ministry of Environment (Ministère de l’Environnement, de l’Ecologie, de la Mer et des Forêts; MEEMF) provides ministerial support for our work in developing sustainable tree plantations to combat deforestation, as well as mangrove protection and restoration throughout the Bay of Ranobe. We are proud to collaborate with MEEMF and thankful for their continued support.
The Association to Protect and Enhance the Marine Environment (FIkambanana MIaro sy HAnasoa ny RAnomasina ‘FI.MI.HA.RA’) was established in 2006 when we brought together the local fishing communities of the bay to form a marine conservation and management organisation. We advise, educate, and facilitate FI.MI.HA.RA, as a direct link to the wider community, in regards to a variety of marine conservation and fisheries management projects.
We helped establish the organisation Fikambanana MPaniriky Miaro ny Fano (FI.MPA.MI.FA) in 2012; the first grassroots marine turtle fishery management association in Madagascar. We work alongside this association to reduce marine turtle exploitation in the Bay of Ranobe.
Kelonia, the educational and scientific marine turtle observatory based in Reunion Island, has a long established partnership with our turtle tagging project. Kelonia donated the first tags used in our programme, while the transfer of turtle tagging information, biological, and geographic data between us is ongoing.
Conseil Diocesain De Development (CDD) collaborates with our sustainable livelihoods project, providing a range of health, education and business training/education for programme beneficiaries. Such teaching allows participants to further develop their livelihood activities, maximising benefits, while promoting skills based development and access to community life.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), together with CDD, work alongside us in Southwest Madagascar to provide food security and increased income through farming activities. They support our aquaculture programme through the provision of financial and entrepreneurial training to community participants.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a member of the seaweed platform association, collaborating with Reef Doctor, other NGO’s and the private sector. As part of this association, we share technical advances and agree to a basic set of operating principles to support the growth of the aquaculture industry in the Atsimo-Andrefena region.
Blue Ventures is a marine conservation organisation based in Andavadoaka, Southwest Madagascar. Given their relative proximity and similar goals, we have collaborated on multiple projects, including fisheries surveys, and sea cucumber and seaweed aquaculture.
MItantana HArena an-dRanomasina avy eny Ifotony (MIHARI) is a national Malagasy network bringing together communities who manage their marine resources. MIHARI provides support to these communities and their associations, such as FIMIHARA, and provides a platform from which they can address local, regional and national concerns. We are proud to be a member of MIHARI, and supports them in their activities whenever possible.
We have collaborated with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on a diverse array of projects over the years, and more recently have worked together as members of the seaweed platform for Atsimo-Andrefena region.
The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) is the premier international marine research association in the region. We are an active member of this association, contributing articles and presenting at annual conferences to promote the development of research in the West Indian Ocean.
The Western Indian Ocean Marine Turtle Task Force (WIO-MTTF) serves as a scientific and technical advisory committee, providing technical support to governments in the Western Indian Ocean, through the collection and review of scientific information on sea turtles and their associated habitats. We share data from our turtle tagging programme with the WIO-MTTF to assist regional preservation efforts.
We submit annual coral bleaching data to the Coastal Oceans Research and Development – Indian Ocean (CORDIO) East Africa.
We have been accommodating students on the American-based SIT programme (international study abroad) since 2007. Students stay with us every year for 1-2 months to complete research, conservation, and social development research projects.
We are registered with Tourism Concern as an ethical volunteering organisation.
Latest Posts
Reef Doctor Project UpdateNovember 15, 2024 - 1:54 pm
Exploring the Wonders of Seagrass and Transplantation!August 14, 2023 - 4:01 pm
“What a wonderful way to start the new decade!”January 19, 2020 - 10:51 am
