Nosy Hara 2000

Jessica Metcalf

This collaborative expedition between The Universities of Antananarivo and Oxford will carry out research and provide equipment and training to facilitate further sea turtle conservation efforts in Madagascar. A baseline survey of the flora and fauna within the area, and a community survey of the requirements and concerns of local people will be conducted. The expedition aims to facilitate actions by concerned agencies to recognise and implement conservation strategies and protection measures in the Nosy Hara region. The expedition will assess sea turtle nesting activity in the regions of Nosy Hara and the Radama Islands, and provide equipment and training of vital importance to facilitate further sea turtle conservation efforts in Madagascar. Several environmental organisations, including the Malagasy Commission for U.N.E.S.C.O., WWF Madagascar, and the Office National de l’Environnement, have recognised that Madagascar’s existing protection for coastal areas is inadequate, and that Nosy Hara and the Radama Islands are potentially important sites in need of protection. A baseline survey of the flora and terrestrial fauna will be conducted. An understanding of socio-economic factors is fundamental for both assessing and addressing threats to natural resources. A community survey of the requirements and concerns of people within the areas will be undertaken. The expedition aims to facilitate actions by concerned agencies to recognise and implement conservation strategies and protection measures in the Nosy Hara and Radama Islands regions.