Creating an artificial reef in Nosy Be

Artificial reef creation in Nosy Be

Photos of reef bottles after 3, 6 weeks, 8 months, 2 years. Freezer, 6 weeks and 2 years. Fridge, Installation and at 1 year.
Planetary climate change increases the water temperatures and has an impact the reefs which results in coral bleaching, a suicidal phenomenon of corals, which manifests itself by fluorescent coloring and then death by expulsion of the symbiotic zooxanthellae.
Even if our reefs are still preserved, we therefore decided to create a deep artificial reef, unaffected by temperature variations, to see the speed and diversity of colonization.
Inspired by existing projects in other countries, we chose to use non-recyclable glass bottles in Nosy Be, cast in concrete blocks. Glass is a good hard substrate to promote differentiated fixation. Its smooth appearance limits the fixation of algae, thus leaving free space for sponges, hydraids and corals. The bottles also offer niches in the necks for small animals.
In order to diversify the colonization supports of our new reef, we have also created supports of full water, using freezer, depolluted fridge and others floating objects, held several meters above the seabed by concrete blocks and stainless steel cables. these floating objects, in open water, are less affected by the turbidity of the water.

Training of dive center staff

- In our project, we only hire Malagasy from our neighborhood, those who don't have access to education and we train them in the profession for which they are recruited, but also to diverse tasks to be able to evolve.
- All our staff has been trained in good respect for the environment but also in respect of the codes and charters of approaching whales and whale sharks.
- Training of a diving guide local. Important step because the Malagasy do not dive and have no idea what a reef is. Discovering diving is also an awareness of the importance of respecting the reef and it is also becoming an ambassador for all Malagasy people.

Sensibilization of local population

- Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, our work in sensibilization of population of Nosy Be starts with the children who are the future of the country.
- Each week, we organize with the children of our neighborhood, various educational activities for children. Respect for the environment and ecology in its broadest sense: cleaning of the road and beaches, work on the marine and land fauna and flora of Madagascar. We also try to apply all this work through excursions, initiations also teaching them to discover their island, their wealth and their heritage. Most of these children only know the neighborhood in which they grow up.
- For the majority, children of fishermen, we also make them aware of the importance of respecting the periods when fishing is closed (shrimps, mangrove crabs, lobsters ) during the breeding season in order to sustain their resources.
In return for their investment and their attendance, we help them to make it easier for them to access education by providing them with school supplies, clothes, books, games.