Marine Conservation Research Assistant

• Sleeping accommodations for the duration of their volunteer time
• Three meals per day, seven days per week on camp
• Supervision and training by a team of Rescue Divers, Dive Masters and Dive Instructors
• BCD's
• Tanks + Air Fills
• Regulators
• Weight Belts + Weights
• Scientific Survey Materials (i.e. quadrat, rulers, measuring tape, etc…)
• Access to speed boat

• 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 is adequate)
• Waterproof watch
• Dive compass
• Log book
• Flights
• Visa costs
• Personal items 

Currency: In Madagascar the official currency is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA), which can only be exchanged in Madagascar. There are a number VISA ATMs located in Hellville which volunteers can draw cash from. We do however advise that you bring some Euro’s along with you.

What to bring along:

Personal Items - Essential Items for all Volunteers

•  Lightweight waterproof rain jacket
• T-shirts/vests
• Light long-sleeved sweatshirt/ jumper/ fleece
• Trousers (suitable for going into the forest)
• Shorts
• Underwear
• Swimming costume/bikini/board shorts
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Walking boots or good trainers /sneakers
• Flip-flops
• Day pack (waterproof)
• Dry bag/ziplock bags that will keep items dry
• Lightweight single person mosquito net
• Cotton sleeping bag liner and/or single sheet & pillow case.
• Sleeping bag if coming in the cooler months (June-August)
• Towel or sarong
• Toiletries (soap, shampoo, razor, tampons, toothpaste, toothbrush)
• Sunscreen (water-resistant, preferably biodegradable)
• Insect repellent
• Head torch (with rechargeable batteries)
• Photocopy of passport, travel insurance details, dive qualifications (if relevant) and other important travel documents
• Debit card/credit card
• Spending money
• Solar Panel Charger

 Personal Medical Kit (example)

• Anti-malarial tablets
• Paracetamol / Ibuprofen
• Antihistamine pills / cream
• Rehydration tablets / sachets
• Immodium
• Multivitamins
• Antiseptic cream or spray
• Motion sickness pills if prone
• Bandage / Plasters
• Dressings / Micropore tape
• After sun lotion or gel

 Optional Items for all Volunteers

• Battery pack (to use in conjunction with your solar panel)
• Mobile phone (you can buy a local SIM card for around US$10)
• A padlock to secure personal items
• Laptop/iPad/iPhone
• Camera (waterproof)
• Books
• Water bottle
• Sarong
• A nice set of clothes if you want to go out for dinner or dancing
• Rash vest
• Talcum powder
• Treats/food difficult to get in Madagascar
• Travel guide (many volunteers find Lonely Planet to be very helpful for preparation and once they are in Madagascar)

 Essential Items for Marine Conservation Volunteers

• PADI Crew Pack (available to purchase online or from your local PADI Dive store)
• Medium to large dive slate (A5-A4 size)
• Mask (with tempered glass) and snorkel
• Dive Fins (open heel with booties are more comfortable for frequent use)
• Wetsuit (long or short, 3mm minimum)
• Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) and reel (a small finger reel is fine)
• Waterproof watch (resistant to 200 meters)
• Dive compass
• Log book
• Dive computer (optional)
• Dive bag (optional)
• Diving knife (optional)

Program Requirements: To participate on the Marine Conservation program, volunteers must have both PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water Dive Certification or equivalent to survey.  PADI diving courses can be completed with us in Madagascar at the research centre. Volunteers must complete the PADI E-learning portion of the PADI training prior to arrival in Madagascar as access to WIFI is limited. When applying for the Marine Conservation Program, volunteers must specify their level of scuba-diving and/or any training required. Visit our MRCI Dive School page for more information on our PADI courses. 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 effectively on the project. 

About the Marine Conservation Program:

Reef Research 
The MRCI marine team collects time-series data recording diversity and abundance of fish, invertebrate and reef building organisms through reef surveys at various sites along the coast of Nosy Komba. MRCI are also monitoring the health of the coral in the wake of our changing climate through coral bleaching and invasive species surveys. After two years of survey work, the area of reef situated directly in front of our home, Turtle Cove, known as ‘Turtle Towers’ was designated as a ‘no-take’ Marine Protected Area (MPA), prohibiting all fishing activities and restricted boat activities. This provided the unique opportunity to additionally monitor the effectiveness of the MPA over time in allowing the reef ecosystem to improve after being subjected to heavy, artisanal fishing pressures and boat activities. The MPA site will be compared to our other reef sites that are still impacted by direct anthropogenic pressures. The reef research volunteers will be assisting us with is vital to justify the need for the MPA, to raise awareness in the community and to provide more sustainable local fishing opportunities for years to come. 
The organisms surveyed are divided into three species groups; the ‘active swimmers’ (fish), ‘benthic’ (bottom dwellers) and ‘sessile’ (stationary). Volunteers usually specialise in one of three species groups, learn the species and are trained how to participate in the reef surveys. 
All the data collected through our reef surveys goes to the Coastal Oceans Development Indian Ocean (CORDIO), and is shared with our national partner, Madagascar Centre Nationale Researche Oceanographique (CNRO).

Artificial Reef Research
The establishment of artificial reefs in key areas are proven to be an effective way to enhance coral reef stability and sustain the abundance of reef species. Madagascar has witnessed several bleaching events and reef degradation in recent times, so there is an urgent need to establish habitats which can support a greater diversity of marine species.

Coral Transplantation 
The MRCI marine team has recently constructed a series of small, concrete, boulder-like hollow structures called ‘domes’, with transplanted hard and soft corals attached to them. These domes have been arranged into rows parallel to Turtle Towers reef, within the MPA, which has been nick-named ‘The Orchard’. Over a 6-month period volunteers have helped to construct, implement, clean and monitor the progress of the ‘baby-corals’. Now, you will be assisting the marine team to survey The Orchard, and add new sites, recording growth rates of the corals, level of coral bleaching and assessment of the recruitment of additional species over time to the new artificial reef.

Creative Structures
The team has also built a collection of metal re-bar artificial structures beyond Turtle Towers reef, also within the MPA. The aim of both artificial reef projects is to provide additional substrate and habitat for organisms to grow and thrive, to boost the rejuvenation and recovery of the reef ecosystem within the MPA. Volunteers will have the opportunity to monitor and carry out surveys on these structures, recording the benthic assemblage cover as well as species biodiversity and abundance, to add to MRCI’s time-series dataset.

Nudibranch Research
Nudibranchs are a group of wonderfully diverse sea-slugs (gastropod molluscs). They have close associations with the marine invertebrates and are great indicators of reef diversity. Volunteers will actively participate in recording the species abundance and diversity of these marine molluscs. Volunteers will assist us to build up the MRCI catalogue of all the different species found in the area, which in turn helps to determine the health status of the coral reef. All the data is shared with our national partner, Madagascar Centre Nationale Researche Oceanographique (CNRO), who compare our species diversity with Nosy Be and other parts of Madagascar.

Turtle Monitoring
On Nosy Komba we see both the green and hawksbill turtles within and around the MPA. In addition, the beaches adjacent to Turtle Cove are visited by a small population of nesting turtles. Volunteers will be recording data on sightings of marine turtles around Turtle Cove, through dry ‘turtle watches’ from the centre and on snorkelling surveys. In addition, during the breeding season from November to March, you participate in ‘Extreme Turtle Watch’ patrolling the nesting beaches during the night for signs of activity. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to assist in environment workshops promoting turtle conservation measures. The overall aim is to establish the frequency and population strength of the varying species which visit as well as any seasonal and long-term charges in population size. The data collected on these important, endangered species is shared with the C3 UK Branch of the International Union of Convention of Nature (IUCN).