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The mysteriously rich diversity of life on the isle of Madagascar might have arrived there in part on 'floating islands' carried by ocean currents, researchers now say.

The estimated period in which human colonization of Madagascar began has expanded recently to 5000-1000 y B.P., six times its range in 1990, prompting revised thinking about early migration sources, routes, maritime capability and environmental changes. Cited evidence of colonization age includes anthropogenic palaeoecological data 2500-2000 y B.P., megafaunal butchery marks 4200-1900 y B.P. and OSL dating to 4400 y B.P. of the Lakaton'i Anja occupation site. Using large samples of newly-excavated bone from sites in which megafaunal butchery was earlier dated >2000 y B.P. we find no butchery marks until ~1200 y B.P., with associated sedimentary and palynological data of initial human impact about the same time. Close analysis of the Lakaton'i Anja chronology suggests the site dates <1500 y B.P. Diverse evidence from bone damage, palaeoecology, genomic and linguistic history, archaeology, introduced biota and seafaring capability indicate initial human colonization of Madagascar 1350-1100 y B.P.

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are highly susceptible to changes in weather patterns. For example, in Nosy Barren, Madagascar, SSF use traditional pirogues with handcrafted sails that rely on seasonal wind and sea conditions. As climate change is expected to increase the intensity and frequency of severe weather, it is important to understand how changes in weather affect SSF fishing efforts. Yet, a gap exists in the understanding of how changes in meteorological conditions affect small scale fishers. This study combines fishers' meteorological knowledge of weather conditions that allow for small-scale fishing with long-term remotely sensed meteorological data to quantify how fishing effort, defined as available fishing hours, of SSF in coastal Madagascar has changed between 1979-2020 in response to long-term weather trends. Results show a significant decrease in available fishing hours over the examined time period. Particularly, we found that a decrease in available fishing hours between 1979-2020 with a loss of 21.7 available fishing hours per year. Increased adverse weather conditions, likely associated with climate change, could decrease fishers access to crucial resources needed for the food and livelihood security. Climate change adaptation strategies will need to account for changing weather impacts on fishing availability.

Madagascar fishermen protect mangroves to save jobs.

Pêche-Madagascar : contrôle renforcé contre les pillages.

Plenty more fish in the sea: preserving stocks in Madagascar.

Madagascar seeks international aid after tropical storm kills 68.

Madagascar seeks international aid after tropical storm kills 68.

Dr. Salvatore CERCHIO is a marine mammal biologist at the New England Aquarium. In November 2015, he went off the grid to study Omura's whales off the coast of Madagascar.

Dr. Salvatore CERCHIO is a marine mammal biologist at the New England Aquarium. In November 2015, he went off the grid to study Omura's whales off the coast of Madagascar.

Swimming with giants in Madagascar.

Madagascar: No more fish? We′ll farm seaweed instead.

In Madagascar, fishermen plant mangroves for the future.

UNESCO on Tuesday threw cold water over an American explorer's claims that he had discovered the sunken treasure of infamous 17th-century pirate William Kidd off the coast of Madagascar.

UNESCO on Tuesday threw cold water over an American explorer's claims that he had discovered the sunken treasure of infamous 17th-century pirate William Kidd off the coast of Madagascar.

Un trafic d'ailerons de requins et concombres de mer mis à jour à Madagascar.

An international team of biologists has made the first-ever field observations of one of the least known species of whales in the world-Omura's whales-off the coast of Madagascar.

An international team of biologists has made the first-ever field observations of one of the least known species of whales in the world-Omura's whales-off the coast of Madagascar.

A rare assemblage of sharks and rays from nearshore environments of Eocene Madagascar.

The Madagascar farmers trying to save sea cucumbers.

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) are often undervalued and unmanaged as a result of a lack of data. A study of SSFs in Menabe, western Madagascar in 1991 found diverse catches and a productive fishery with some evidence of declining catches. Here we compare data collected at the same landing site in 1991 and 2011. 2011 had seven times greater total monthly landings due to more people fishing and higher individual catches. Catch composition showed a lower mean trophic level in 2011 indicating overfishing, the true extent of which may be masked due to changes in technology and fishing behaviours. Limited management action since 2011 means these trends have likely continued and an urgent need for both greater understanding, and management of these fisheries remains if they are to continue providing food and income for fishing communities.

Tôt ce lundi, Team Sanya a constaté une avarie sur son gréement et fait route vers un port au sud de Madagascar pour évaluer les dommages et élaborer un plan de secours. Personne n'a été blessé à bord et les équipiers sont sains et saufs.

Team Sanya suffered damage to part of their rigging early on Monday and are heading to a port in southern Madagascar in order to assess the damage and make a repair plan. No one has been injured and the crew are all safe.

Team Sanya aim to complete the first stage of Leg 2 after being forced to take refuge in Madagascar due to a rigging failure, they announced today.