April 2026: A seminar led by the interns exploring reef passages in New Caledonia
In February 2026, three students began an internship as part of SOCPacific2R, with the aim of exploring the local significance of specific reef passages in New Caledonia. Vicky Simraï and Amandine Aiglehoux, who are finishing their Master’s degree at the University of New Caledonia, focus their research on the meanings, values, and practices associated with reef passages from the perspectives of, respectively, fishers in Yaté and school-children in Dumbéa and Voh. Oumaïma Ballito is a Master’s student at the University of Montpellier Paul-Valéry, interested in highlighting the diversity of perspectives and knowledges related to the “Passe Duroc” near Voh.
On the 16th of April, these interns gave a well-received seminar presentation at the IRD Centre in Nouméa, during which they outlined the objectives, methods, and preliminary findings of their internships. The discussions that followed will be very helpful to them as they continue their research. Over the coming weeks, they will also share and discuss the initial outcomes of their ongoing work with the local partners and schools they have been collaborating with.
