Reef Project of Sainte Marie Island (PRISM)
Due to several factors including global warming, erosion, pollution and island’s economical dependance to tourism and fisheries, marine ecosystems go often through difficult times… PRISM (Reef Project of the Sainte Marie Island) has aroused from an obvious need for the study and monitoring of coral environment around Sainte Marie, for its better management and protection. In November 2017, 5 stations were identified by MAREX (la Réunion). Since then, a monitoring team was created at the Bora Dive, with the support of Cetamada, in order to monitor these locations 4 times a year and interpret the collected data.
MAREX REPORT
Analysis of Sainte-Marie’s marine ecosystems, Madagascar
PDF – 54 pages – November 2017 – French
Methods
In order to analyse biodiversity, biomass, the general state of the reef and its temporal variability, five monitoring stations were selected for their diversity and ecological specificities. On these sites, three transects of 20 meters each were deployed. Along those transects, fish and corals are identified, counted and mesured every three months.
Perspectives
On the long term, the Reef Project aims to bring the knowledge needed for the creation of marine protected areas (MPA) around the Sainte Marie Island. Those MPA perspectives are carried by the PCADDISM, a plateform for local consultation on sustainable development of the island supported by the COI (Indian Ocean Commission).
MAPs are a tool used for the regulation of fishing periods and areas, and of other activities impacting the reef. These regulations lower the stress imposed on the coral environment and therefore seek to reestablish the balance of its ecosystems (fish and coral recruitment, invasive species monitoring, remission of corals and zooxanthellae after a bleaching period,…).
Monitoring team
Partners
Ile Sainte Marie 515, MADAGASCAR
+(261) 32 05 090 05
info@cetamada.org
www.cetamada.org
697 Chemin Surprise, 97436 Saint-Leu.
06 92 62 74 21
julien.wickel@gmail.com
(+230)4026100
secretariat@coi-ioc.org
Campus du Jardin Tropical de Paris – 45 bis, avenue de la Belle Gabrielle 94736 Nogent sur Marne
www.gret.org
mathevon@gret.org
PCADDISM brings together the various actors present on the island’s territory. It promotes integrated coastal zone management by establishing an action plan to strengthen the resilience of endangered ecosystems. According to this approach, 20 LMMAs (locally managed marine areas) were identified by the 17 fokontany (municipalities) of the island.