George 'Bic' Manahira
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Dive Manager & Coral Reef Monitoring Co-ordinator Andavadoaka, Madagascar Bic is the first member of Blue Ventures' Malagasy staff to gain his PADI Divemaster |
Mpikaroka Andriake /Â Scientifique marin
PADI has since confirmed that Bic may well be the first Malagasy national to gain the Divemaster qualification.
Bic works as a research assistant, and as well as supervising training of volunteers in survey techniques and methodologies he also teaches staff and volunteers to speak Malagasy. His primary responsibility lies in coordinating Blue Ventures’ coral reef monitoring strategy, and he is also involved in expanding the fin fishery monitoring efforts as part of the regional marine protected area (MPA) fisheries research programme.
Alongside his research duties Bic is in charge of the environmental club run for the local children in Andavdoaka, Club AloAlo. This club aims to increase environmental awareness and education through regular classroom sessions and the production of shows and plays featuring songs about marine issues. Club AloAlo has recently produced a play about MPAs which is touring the villages of the Velondriake region. This features original songs written and performed by Bic and James.
Click here to contact Bic.
