Help Ensure The Survival
Of Endangered Sea Turtles

Background to the sea turtle conservation programme

The sea turtle conservation programme in Madagascar has been established to identify and develop safe turtle breeding zones along the Northern coastline. Currently two species of turtles are monitored, the critically endangered Hawksbill and the endangered Green Sea Turtle.

Still to this day, large numbers of turtle eggs are being plundered on many of the remote beaches around Madagascar and its surrounding islands. On top of this, hatchlings and fully reproductive turtles are being harvested for the souvenir trade, having a devastating impact.

Sadly, both species have seen a significant decline in population numbers. Hawksbill turtle numbers have fallen by as much as 80% in the last 10 years and the annual number of nesting female Green Sea Turtle species has declined by up to 67% over the last 3 generations. This has left both species at high risk of extinction if nothing is done to safeguard their future.

With the help of the local community and international volunteers like yourself, research is being carried out to identify key threats and measures are being implemented to try and protect these important breeding sites – paramount to safeguarding the species in this area. With the collaborative effort of volunteers, the local team will continue to strive to protect endangered sea turtle species in their natural habitat as well as to promote public awareness by further collaborating with local communities and national authorities.

Where will I be volunteering?

Established in 2013, the local team is a non-profit government approved organisation that was set up to assist the Madagascar Department of Education with their research supporting the conservation of the environment around the island.

Through long term monitoring and species-specific projects in collaboration with a range of international partners, the team undertake environmental research, community development and provide education to the local communities.

The sea turtle programme aims to:

• map and identify beaches used as nesting sites..
• identify species diversity and numbers..
• engage and establish a relationship with the local communities enabling us to include them in our conservation efforts..
• monitor and remove plastic waste and other harmful products from the beaches.
• protect the sea turtle's habitat

The main research base is located on Nosy Komba (also known as Lemur Island or Nosy Ambariovato), which is situated within the Mozambique Channel. The island is surrounded by white sand beaches, mangroves and seagrass beds leading to a fringing coral reef. The coral reef opposite the volunteer accommodation has been established as a no-take marine protected area since 2016 and provides a fascinating, diverse habitat and feeding grounds for a whole host of marine biota. These range from groupers, turtles, dolphins, nudibranchs and stingrays.

On top of this, you will generally spend at least one week on the nearby island of Ampohana, where most of the turtle nesting activities take place. This small remote village sits on a long white sandy beach and is surrounded by lush green forests with rivers that are lined with mangroves at either end.

What is my role?

Your role as a volunteer in Madagascar will be varied, and activites will depend on time of year and season.

At Nosy Komba, you take part in activities such as conducting in-water turtle surveys, monitoring habitats, removing marine debris, and leading conservation education efforts.

In Ampohana, the focus is on nesting turtle research, nest protection, and coastal habitat restoration. You will take part in beach patrols, assess hatching success rates, and work closely with the local community to encourage sustainable conservation practices.

The sea turtle monitoring programme runs year round with the focus of the programme shifting depending on the season. During the nesting season from October to March each year when turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, the project focuses on preventing the poaching of mothers and nests, collecting data on the nesting turtles and their eggs as well as moving nests that have been laid in locations that are unsuitable for hatching success. During the dry season from April to September, the programme focuses on collecting ID and behavioural data on turtles in the water, rehabilitating nesting beaches and educating local communities on the importance of turtles in the ecosystem.

Research will primarily focus on the Green and Hawksbill turtles, with data also being collected on the less common Olive Ridley and Loggerhead turtles if encountered. All data collected will allow a better understanding into the current state of the turtle populations of Madagascar and is vital to assist in the protection and management of these populations.

You will be part of creating a new research database in a relatively unstudied area.

You will be out searching for signs of turtle activities most days and many nights. If you find turtles or eggs during the surveys, you will also get the opportunity to handle these animals as part of the data collection process.

Nosy Komba Activities

Active Turtle Surveys (ATS) and Facial Recognition Project – Take part in snorkelling-based turtle surveys in the bay in front of Turtle Cove to identify and photograph turtles, collect data on species, size, behaviour, and habitat use, and contribute to the ‘In-Water Turtle Sightings’ database. You will also use the images of turtle facial patterns to help build a local and global database on the Internet of Turtles to allow researchers to track population trends and movement patterns over time.

Seagrass Monitoring – Sea grass meadows are vital foraging ground for Green Turtles. Regular surveys are required to monitor environmental changes that may affect marine ecosystems.

Beach & Ocean Cleans – Take part in regular coastal and snorkelling-based clean-ups to remove marine debris and plastic pollution from turtle habitats. Data is logged in the ‘CleanSwell’ app to contribute to global waste research.

Artificial Reef (AR) Construction & Coral Planting – In collaboration with the Marine Conservation Program, you will join in with artificial reef maintenance and out-of-water coral planting sessions. As well as restoring marine habitats, this is a great chance to learn aout reef restoration methodologies.

Self-Directed Learning & Lectures – You will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and discussions covering topics such as:

• Turtle biology, physiology, and behaviour
• Marine ecology & conservation strategies
• Waste management & ocean pollution
• Coral reef restoration techniques
• Climate change, El Niño, and human impacts on marine ecosystems

Eco-Bricks & Waste Management – Repurpose non-recyclable plastic into eco-bricks for sustainable construction projects, reducing waste and promoting environmental responsibility.

Bamboo Straws Project – To combat single-use plastics, you will harvest and craft bamboo straws, distributing them to local businesses and communities as a sustainable alternative.

Malagasy Language & Cultural Lessons – You will have the opportunity to learn Malagasy, improving communication with local community members and conservation partners.

Scientific Paper Group Discussions – Analyse and discuss new marine conservation research, exploring how findings can be applied to MRCI’s conservation strategies.

Ampohana Activities

In Ampohana, in addition to the above activities, you can take part in specialised nesting and community engagement projects:

Beach Patrols for Nesting & Hatching Turtles – Conduct hourly patrols during high tide to identify new turtle nests, monitor nesting behaviour, and protect hatchlings.

Turtle Nesting Observations & Data Collection – Record species, nest location, environmental factors, and predation risks, sharing data with the Olive Ridley Project and Wildlife Conservation Society.

Turtle Tracking Skills – Learn to identify and interpret animal tracks from turtles, crabs, dogs, and other wildlife, essential for nesting site monitoring and habitat protection.

Turtle Nest Excavations & Hatchling Success Surveys – Conduct nest excavations to record hatching success rates, deformities, and evidence of predation.

Turtle Nest Protection – You will play an active role in protecting nests, which may include constructing barriers, monitoring temperature conditions, and relocating at-risk nests.

English Teaching & Marine Biology Lessons – At the Ampohana school, you can teach English with a marine conservation focus, raising awareness about turtle conservation, marine ecosystems, and sustainability.

Nesting Activities on Nosy Komba When Needed

While most turtle nesting activities occur in Ampohana, when the team receive reports of nesting turtles or active nests on Nosy Komba, you will conduct nesting surveys, data collection, and protection efforts there as well.

What will a typical day look like?

You will generally be volunteering from Monday to Friday with activities dependent on the turtle nesting season. During the nesting season (October to March), the majority of sea turtle activity actually happens during the late evening/night and in the early mornings. For this reason, most activities generally occur during this time, leaving you with plenty of free time during the day to relax or assist with other programmes.

Outside of the nesting season, most activities will occur during the day and will still focus on collecting vital research and being around sea turtles.

You will generally spend:

One week on Nosy Komba and one week in Ampohana as part of a two-week placement.

Depending on conservation needs, you may spend two weeks in Ampohana and one week on Nosy Komba to support nesting efforts during peak nesting months.

A typical day during the nesting season (October to March) –

07:00am - Breakfast at the camp
08:00am - Morning track counts
12:00pm - Lunch at the camp
13:00pm - Data entry, teaching, construction or rest
18:00pm - Dinner
20:00pm - Night surveys

A typical day outside of the nesting season –

07:00am - Breakfast at the camp
08:00am - Start of morning activities
12:00pm - Lunch at the camp
13:00pm - Start of afternoon activities
18:00pm - Dinner
18:45pm - Briefing to discuss the tasks for the following day

You will have several hours of free time throughout the day and in the evening where you are more than welcome to relax on the beach, go snorkelling in search of turtles, enjoy the views from the dive deck or socialise at the accommodation playing games.

There are no volunteering activities planned for the weekends and this is your perfect chance to head off and explore more of Nosy Komba and the surrounding islands. There are so many things you can see and do including walking the narrow stretch of beach at Nosy Iranja, go lemur spotting at Lokobe National Park, climb Mont Passot to enjoy the 360 degree views, hop on a boat and go whale watching or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Where will I be staying?

Built into the steep, rocky slopes of Nosy Komba, the eco-friendly volunteer accommodation is a multi-level compound overlooking the spectacular coral reef below. Surrounded by lush green forests a stone’s throw away from a picturesque white sandy beach, this really is paradise. You can relax and unwind on the large dive deck that is complete with hammocks, bean bags and benches, providing the perfect spot to enjoy the stunning views of the ocean that extends all the way to Lokobe Forest Reserve on Nosy Be. You will be staying in one of several locally built bungalows that are nestled within vibrant gardens and enjoy stunning views. Volunteers can expect to share a hut with four to six other volunteers in wooden bunkbeds.

When travelling to Ampoagna, you will be staying in basic hut style houses with your fellow volunteers. This small remote village sits on a long white sandy beach and is surrounded by lush green forests with rivers that are lined with mangroves at either end. With the waves crashing down in front of you and the lemurs calling out from behind, you're in for a treat!

Other things to consider

Working hours - As sea turtles are most active during the night, during the nesting season (October to March) most volunteering activities start in the early evening and continue well into the night. Please be prepared to work some "unsociable" hours.