The Maru Research Center

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rating

4.7

Brillante


5

Recensioni


16

Years in business

We collect and analyze data on Lake Malawi's fish populations and water quality using both land-based and underwater SCUBA-based techniques.
Who we are  
 
In 2010 Justin Kraus and Okju Kim came to Malawi looking for a place to settle down. After a few years of working on and studying coastal management and development programs in Africa and Asia and working in the African tourism industry they found Kande Beach located on the beautiful ...

Descrizione della recensione

Who we are  
 
In 2010 Justin Kraus and Okju Kim came to Malawi looking for a place to settle down. After a few years of working on and studying coastal management and development programs in Africa and Asia and working in the African tourism industry they found Kande Beach located on the beautiful shores of Lake Malawi and a little dive center there called Aquanuts Divers. In 2011 they bought the dive center and moved permanently to Kande. Astounded by the beauty and diversity of Lake Malawi’s cichlid fish and dismayed at the inattention that the scientific and conservation communities were paying to the northern half of Lake Malawi they decided to found the Maru Research Center in an effort to better understand and promote the Lake both to the international community and more importantly to Malawians themselves. Lake Malawi is the most biologically diverse lake on the planet with an estimated 1000 species of cichlid fish alone. However by most counts barely half of those 1000 fish have been properly scientifically identified let alone studied. The rest of the lake’s ecological, biological, and even socio-economic characteristics have been similarly understudied. There is a lot of work to be done. Unfortunately Malawian institutions, like most in Africa, have neither the expertise nor the resources to do it. At the Maru we want to do our small part in assisting them so that more can be done and so can you through our volunteer and internship opportunities.  
 
What we do   

The Maru Research Center currently has three ongoing research and education programs. As a volunteer or intern you will be working on all of them.  
 
 
Weather and Water Quality Monitoring  
 
The clear warm waters of Lake Malawi have always amazed it’s visitors. At the Maru we monitor a variety of weather and water quality indicators. With increased development both on the shores of the Lake and further inland we want to keep track of what is coming into the lake within our research area and to know what effect it is having on the lake. Every Malawian and every living organism in the lake depends on the lake’s waters for their daily needs and so knowing the quality of that water is important.  
 
Population and Biodiversity Surveying  
 
Lake Malawi is home to the largest number of endemic fish on the planet. There are an estimated 1000 species of cichlid fish alone. At the Maru we are utterly fascinated by these little fellows and have developed a survey program to monitor and map their diversity and numbers at various sites within our research area. Using scuba equipment we conduct line transect surveys at various depths and times counting and identifying the lake’s biodiversity.  
 
Fisheries Monitoring and Conservation  
 
In cooperation with the Malawian government’s Fisheries Department, Mzuzu University, and other local and international NGOs the Maru Research Center is helping Malawians to better monitor and conserve their lake resources. After the establishment of Beach Village Committees (BVCs) the Maru will work with them to better educate the local population through sensitization campaigns and other activities about the importance of using the lake’s resources sustainably. It will also assist the BVC is setting up community monitoring programs so that the effectiveness of their outreach and management initiatives can be assessed.

Persona di contatto

Justin Kraus


The Maru Research Center recensioni

Sara Bergstrom rating4,8

2019 at Lake Malawi Research Diver Internship

I came to Maru to explore a different kind of diving. Having done a lot of ocean diving, Lake Malawi offers a whole different ecology and species that is fascinating to learn about at the Maru. For those who want something a little different I completely recommend the ...
Jack Frieder rating4,8

2019 at Lake Malawi Research Diver Internship

I came to Lake Malawi for as part of my gap year travels to see if I wanted to go and study conservation at university. After my time here at the Maru I definitely am going to explore Africa more and think the staff here give you a great base for that. ...
Conor Ferguson rating4,8

2019 at Lake Malawi Research Diver Internship

My internship at Kande Beach was such a unique experience. After completing my uni I wanted to travel and participate in conservation in Africa. Since I already had my diving ticket I was also looking for a place to gain more diving experience. Lake Malawi provides such an interesting place to do ...
Amy Peterson rating4,4

2018 at Lake Malawi Research Diver Internship

Coming to Africa for the first time was, I will admit, a bit scary but Malawi and the Maru made my transition an easy one. Malawians are so welcoming and the staff at the Maru really helped me to learn about the Lake and improve my dive ...
I came to Kande and the Maru looking to explore the underwater world and start my career in conservation in Africa. It was a great start. Justin and the Maru staff helped me learn about Lake Malawi and get my foot in the door. Highly recommend ...