Reef Doctor is a UK-based, non-profit conservation and social development organisation working on the South Western coast of Madagascar, in the Bay of Ranobe, home to one of the world's largest coral reef ecosystems. More than 20,000 people within the bay depend on the reef as a food source and livelihood. However, an expanding population, increased migration towards the coast and unsustainable fishing practises are placing habitats under increasing pressure. Reef Doctor's goal is to protect both marine and terrestrial habitats, and provide a self-sustaining pathway to poverty alleviation in the impoverished communities. Reef Doctor has been operating in this area in collaboration, with many communities and organisations, since 2002. This includes reef research and restoration, marine protected areas, mangrove conservation, turtle conservation, social development projects and education.
Beach clean-ups involving local children are regularly performed at Reef Doctor in attempt to reduce marine litter, a major global environmental challenge that is threatening marine life. Marine litter contains fishing nets, plastic wrappers, bottles, bottle caps, plastic bags, cigarette butts and plastic containers. Recently, during a period of three months Reef Doctor collected over 700 kg of litter from the beach of Ifaty. Marine mammals, turtles, seabirds and fish are being killed by marine litter due to entanglement or ingestion. Coral reefs are also under threat from marine litter; discarded fishing nets can break delicate coral while plastic waste can smoother corals, blocking light, and can also result in disease. In addition to the negative ecological impacts, marine litter also has the potential to affect the local economy (fish yields and tourism) in the long term, affecting the livelihoods of the communities in the Bay of Ranobe.
A major contributor of marine litter is poor waste management of land-based activities. In the community of Ifaty, the main source of marine litter is improper disposal of domestic garbage. In order to prevent waste from littering the environment it needs to be contained. The primary problem in Ifaty is that, due to lack of knowledge, plastic and other non-organic materials are disposed of in the same way as organic material. In Ifaty, the disposal of garbage is generally through the means of burning or burying in a pit, which is unsustainable.
Beach clean-ups are an effective method to prevent marine litter. However, preventing litter at its source is even more effective. In order to prevent coastal and marine litter it is important that garbage is disposed of and managed properly.
Reef Doctor is raising funds to implement the first waste management programme in Ifaty. One of the goals is to decrease litter in the village and on the beach of Ifaty. This will be achieved by educating the community on the consequences of appropriate garbage disposal, providing the community with garbage bins and implementing a collection scheme. Garbage will be collected and transferred to a waste management centre in Ifaty. The centre will be used to store and sort the garbage. The collecting and sorting of garbage creates the opportunity to recycle. The programme aims to recycle 50% of the garbage that is collected. During beach clean-ups mainly plastic and fabrics are found. Both which can be used to make new items. Fabrics can be used for embroidery. Hard plastic can be melted and moulded in to any design. Soft plastics, like plastic wrappers will be used to make Eco-Bricks. PET bottles that are in good condition can be used to make an Eco-Brick. These bottles are filled with soft plastics to form solid ‘bricks’ that are used to make all kinds of structures such as garden beds, tables and stools.
An important outcome of the project is to create sustainable livelihoods. The programme aims to contribute to healthy marine ecosystems in the Bay of Ranobe and ensure that the community can continue to rely on fisheries and other marine ecosystem services in the future. Additionally, this project will offer the opportunity to expand the skills within the community, creating alternative livelihoods and income through the waste collection and recycling scheme. Our goal is to keep Ifaty clean. It is important that the community is involved and that they understand the importance of the programme. We have already had a successful meeting with important members of the community who have approval implementation of the programme, a great first step!
Your help will make it possible to implement the programme and lead the community into a more sustainable future. Any donations, big or small, are very much appreciated and will be used to build a waste management centre, hire staff and provide the community with garbage bins.
You can read more about this programme in our latest blog:
https://www.reefdoctor.org/reef-doctor-is-cleaning-up/
Thank you / Misaotra !
