We are introduced to a group of local women who take the children on their daily fishing trip into the reef.
They discover the reef is dying because the only way the women can catch fish is to walk over the coral.
The children consider if it’s acceptable to allow people to feed their families by fishing on the reef even though it causes habitat destruction.
Children from the United Kingdom visit the tropical island of Madagascar to see what life is like there for people and animals.
The introduction shows children about to go snorkeling to see the coral reef which surrounds Madagascar.
Aerial shots are combined with the information that reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor but one quarter of all sea creatures need coral reef to survive.
The children discover the reef is disappearing and want to know why.
This clip is from the series Deadly Dilemmas.
Teacher Notes
Could be used to start a discussion for and against fishing in the coral reef.
Children could take turns to think of a situation where they have found it difficult to decide what the right thing to do was.
Discuss how they resolved their situation.
After watching the clip, children could be asked to role-play both sides of the discussion, one as a conservationist/coral reef expert and another as a local woman struggling to support her family.
Encourage the other children to ask questions to help decide what they would do in that situation.
Children also could research fishing techniques and make a presentation to show the local people how fishing techniques could change for the future.
Curriculum Notes
This clip will be relevant for teaching Geography at KS3 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 3rd and 4th Level in Scotland.
More from Deadly Dilemmas:
The balance between tourism and conservation in Madagascar. video
The children ask whether Madagascar would be better without tourism. They work with local people to make whale souvenirs and consider links between economy and conservation.
How deforestation in Madagascar is threatening animal habitats. video
Children are sent to Madagascar to investigate protecting lemur's natural habitats whilst allowing local people to farm, even if that causes deforestation.
The food dilemma in Madagascar. video
Eight children are sent to visit the exotic island of Madagascar to discover how people and animals are able to survive there together.
Protecting endangered species in Madagascar. video
The children learn that several species of animal may become extinct in their lifetimes and go in search of a Fusa but are unable to find one in the wild.
