Who benefits?

As a ReefDoctor volunteer you’ll quickly realise that our programmes are designed with the local community at their heart; they all share a core value of sustainability.

All our work is directed at helping local communities develop and grow while conserving their unique resources. Our fisheries management programmes are conducted jointly with villagers to ensure they offer affordable alternatives with realistic long-term benefits.

In addition, our coastal management programmes are designed to allow local communities to get the most out of the marine environment, while contributing to its conservation and future resource potential.

To help achieve this, we employ local staff wherever possible, providing training and development at all levels, from science and diving to computers and languages, and believe in giving back as much as we can - we use local transport, services and shops and encourage our volunteers to do the same.

The local community aren’t the only ones to benefit, our work is part of much larger global effort involving local, national and international organisations working to further scientific knowledge and create research, conservation and education initiatives worldwide.

To achieve this, ReefDoctor has developed links with the University of Toliara and the Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines or IHSM (the local Marine Science and Fisheries Institute), the Ministry of Fisheries, and global NGOs working in the area such as WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature), WCS (World Conservation Society), RAMP and Reef Check.

Through these links we are able to contribute to a much wider conservation community with invaluable scientific knowledge and practical conservation research and experience.

And as a ReefDoctor volunteer you’ll benefit too, with an amazing life experience where you’ll learn new skills and becoming part of a unique and challenging community. After your time with us you’ll walk away with new diving skills and experiences, a whole new level of scientific knowledge and, of course, you’ll have contributed to a community of warm and sociable people.

In the end we believe everyone benefits from our work.

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