In 2018, PRÎSM, an association made up of scientists, divers and photographers, joined forces with the BORA DIVE and RESEARCH diving center to carry out ichthyological and benthic monitoring of the evolution of the reef around Sainte-Marie Island in Madagascar. PRÎSM supports the PCADDISM (Platform for Consultation of Sustainable Development Actors on Sainte-Marie Island). This platform reflects the local desire to understand and mitigate the ecosystem degradation currently underway in the territory, in particular by eventually creating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Since April 2018, the PRÎSM association has been collecting data on the evolution of the reef and its ecosystem at 5 sentinel stations around the island. This monitoring is carried out according to the protocol set up by the GCRMN (Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network), which allows them to be shared with regional (CORDIO Coastal Ocean Research and Development Indian Ocean) and global research centers.
At the ichthyological level, 185 species of fish are observed. These fish were selected for their representativeness of their trophic role on the ecosystem.
At the benthic level, we observe the substrate cover in terms of coral shape and genus, as well as algae, soft corals, zoantharia, corallimorphs, etc.

Located along the east coast of Madagascar, Sainte-Marie Island has a great underwater diversity: granite rock coast, seagrass beds, coral islets, reef and lagoon south of Nattes Island, exposed fringing reef on the east coast and the sheltered one on the west coast. These habitats, closely linked, are carriers of significant biodiversity that humpback whales seem to appreciate. Indeed, this marine mammal comes to mate and give birth there every year between June and September. As everywhere on the blue planet, the balance of these ecosystems and the survival of its inhabitants are put to the test: climate change, erosion, overfishing, pollution… In these territories where marine resources are at the center of socio-economic, environmental, tourist and traditional issues, understanding and observing the changes underway is essential to imagine the possibilities of resilience.

The project is getting material and logistic support from the BORA DIVE and RESEARCH, and is, since 2019, funded by private funds. We are grateful to the people that are supporting the PRÎSM, its scientific purposes and posture.