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If anyone out there was hoping to make an unexpected return visit to ReefDoctor in the near future, you might want to pay attention.

For if, after the first of June, you follow the winding track out of the village of Ifaty, past the IHSM, and then turn up the long driveway marked with a signpost announcing ReefDoctor in faded yellow and blue, if you were to pull up outside the house with the blue-stencilled tiger shark adorning the water tank, you would find the place devoid of ReefDoctor staff and volunteers. We cannot say at this point who you might find there in our stead. But whoever it is, they will not be us.

Don’t fret, we’re not going far. In fact, we are moving right next door. So if you were to simply turn up, I am sure you would find us easily. You would be directed to walk down to the beach and then make a left turn towards the village. Just after the volunteer hut you might remember four rather fancy looking A-frame bungalows with mirrored windows facing the sea. That’s us.

The new site means a serious upgrade for ReefDoctor. It is walled on three sides (a vast improvement on our current security situation), we will have solar and wind power, just like a real conservation NGO should. The living conditions for staff will be much improved by the addition of flushing toilets and water that flows from taps (!), the science team will have their own offices where they will be able to get on with their serious science business in peace and quiet, Shane will have a ‘real house’ (that he will be sharing with the administration office), and (drum roll….I have saved the best for last), we are in the process of building a new dive shed. From scratch. Gone are the days of clutter and cockroach infested wetsuits, we are ushering in a new era of glass bricks and custom built equipment racks. Even the booties will be off the floor. We are all very excited.

So please, if you do come looking for us, do bear in mind that while our new premises might seem intimidatingly slick, we are still the same folks at heart, and will be very happy indeed to see you again.

Alice Grainger

Dive Officer

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