Madagascar Whale Shark Project -

Season update

9 February 2026

Results from our 8th season

Despite challenging conditions and a continued decline in whale shark sightings, the team carried out an intensive field season focused on research, conservation, and local engagement. Scientific research expanded in exciting new directions in 2025....

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Madagascar’s northwest coast recognized as a KBA

General Press release Research

17 December 2025

Madagascar’s northwest coast recognized as a KBA

Conservation scientists and international biodiversity organizations have confirmed the Tandavandriva – Nosy Be – Baie de Tsimipaika Complex as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) of global significance, underscoring its vital role in safeguarding threatened marine...

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Press & Events

11 July 2025

Presenting at UNOC in Nice

The Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held in Nice, France, took place from June 9 to 13, 2025. It brought 15,000 participants, including more than 60 Heads of State and Government. Our founder Stella...

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Research Season update

26 March 2025

Results from our 7th season

2024 was a hard one! This year marked our seventh field season. We were finally able to work directly from our research boat, Ad Astra, which made such a difference. Thanks to our volunteers, we...

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Press release: Nosy Be is a hotspot for endangered ray species

Press release Research

5 February 2025

Press release: Nosy Be is a hotspot for endangered ray species

First dedicated research effort on mobulid rays in Madagascar confirms Nosy Be is an important habitat and reef mantas may be declining locally. NOSY BE, Madagascar – The first dedicated research effort on mobulids (manta...

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Introducting Ad Astra, our research boat

General Season update

13 November 2024

Introducting Ad Astra, our research boat

We are so happy to finally introduce you to our new boat, AD ASTRA, a 9.8 motorboat fully equipped for research. Its name means ‘ towards the stars “ because in Madagascar, whale sharks translate as...

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Journée d’échange avec les autorités de Nosy Be sur l’Arrêté Interministériel n°33636/2023 encadrant le tourisme en mer

Press & Events

10 September 2024

Journée d’échange avec les autorités de Nosy Be sur l’Arrêté Interministériel n°33636/2023 encadrant le tourisme en mer

Dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre de la loi malgache n°33626/2023, adoptée le 20 décembre 2023, la Fondation Madagascar Whale Shark Project, en collaboration avec l’association Cétamada, a organisé le 29 août une...

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Code of conduct Education

20 August 2024

The 2024 Operator Training is underway

The Madagascar Whale Shark Project foundation and the Cétamada association, mandated by the Ministry of Tourism, have organised a new operator training course format, with the aim of promoting the responsible observation of marine megafauna...

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Research Season update

27 March 2024

Key results from our sixth season

Here we go! A little summary of our 2023 season. This year was particularly unusual, and our scientific activities were not as successful as usual. The unpredictable presence of whale sharks and the high number...

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Press release

28 February 2024

Press release: The code of conduct for whale sharks is now Malagasy Law

(Version Française ci-dessous) With the aim of promoting sustainable blue ecotourism, Madagascar has officially approved the update of the interministerial decree n°33626/2023 on the 20th of December 2023, a decree signed by the Ministry of...

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