Ile Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha) - Madagascar - page 533

As a result the song heard at the end of the season is quite different from that at the
beginning. When the whales return the following year, they resume singing the ver-
sion in vogue at the end of the previous season. Many whale-watching boats are now
equipped with hydrophones to enable visitors to listen to this singing. The haunting
songs elicit both the mystery and the majesty of these incredible animals.
Until recently the humpbacks of Madagascar were one of the least-studied and
least-understood populations in the world. In the last few years researchers have been
usingDNAtesting,satellite-tagging,photographicidentificationandothermethodsto
increase our knowledge of this significant population. In 2000 Madagascar's Ministry
of the Environment wholeheartedly endorsed new laws governing whale-watching to
protect the whales along their migration route. Training has been provided to instruct
localstudentsandfacultiesfromMalagasyuniversitiesinresearchtechniques,andfor
local ecotourism representatives to encourage safe, enjoyable, conservation-oriented
whale-watching procedures. The humpback whales are a fantastic offshore bonus for
the visitor, and as with the rest of Madagascar's dwindling natural treasures there is
no room for complacency.
Humpbackwhaleshavebeenprotectedsince1966andtheirnumbersarerecovering
very slowly. Before they were hunted intensively in the 19th century, humpbacks
probably numbered about 150,000 worldwide; today's estimates range from 25,000
to35,000.Increased demands ontheir habitat, including unregulated whale-watching,
continue to threaten the likelihood that they will ever recover fully.
Divers should read the safety box on Click Here ; and everyone should watch out for the
vicious spines of sea urchins (see Click Here ).
Le Lémurien Palmé Ambodifotatra (120m north of harbour); 57 040 15; m 032
04 816 56; e [e-mail] ; www.lemurien-palme.com . Dive centre with over
15yrs' experience. Offers try-dives, PADI/CMAS/FFESSM training, exploration diving,
2-day wreck diving to La Cocoteraie, open-sea outings & whale-watching.
MaheryBe 400m south of Lakana hotel; 57 911 08; m 032 04 757 77/033 01 308 14;
e [e-mail] . Offers try-dives, CMAS/FFESSM/ANMP/CEDIP training, boat hire,
sea fishing & whale-watching. They also have 4 basic rooms (30,000Ar) & will pick up
from hotels south of Ambodifotatra.
Il Balenottero Ambodifotatra (at the harbour); 57 400 36; e ilbalenot-
[e-mail] . Dive centre undernewBelgian ownership. Wreck &reef diving; whale-
watching.
EXPLORING THE ISLAND The best way to explore Sainte Marie is by bike (hard
work), motorbike or on foot. In the low season, if you are fit and energetic, you could walk