Marine Conservation
on SCUBA
Join our volunteer programme and explore the underwater wonders of the Indian Ocean!
The reefs off of southern Mozambique are teeming with life, hosting many endangered species including sharks, rays, dolphins, turtles, and invertebrates. SCUBA diving is a fantastic way to visit these species in their natural habitat.
Nearly one third of shark and ray species are endangered. Southern Mozambique is one of the last places on Earth where you can encounter rare sharks, rays, dolphins and sea turtles. Our work has identified important patterns in how they use reefs, helping us to understand what attracts them to our waters. Join us to learn a variety of field techniques and enjoy lectures by our resident scientists on many species you encounter on dives and at the surface.
Why Volunteer?
By the end of your volunteer programme, you will have gained insight into what it really means to do research with megafauna in the field, and what can be achieved with this research to reach conservation goals. You will be an integral part of our team and will witness the amazing variety the Mozambican underwater world has to offer. Whether you are looking to deepen your understanding of marine ecosystems or just "dipping your toes" in marine research, you are sure to leave with lifetime memories of adventures with new friends in the Indian Ocean.
What Will You Do?
Research Dives
SCUBA diving allows us to monitor our reefs from up close. You will be collecting environmental and sightings data on many endangered or threatened species. By swimming transects and taking notes on the species you see on your dives, we gain a better understanding of our reef's ecology.
Camera Traps
Baited Remote Underwater VIdeo Systems (BRUVS) allow us to see rare species we don't see on SCUBA, such as large pelagic sharks, turtles, and many rays. Help us deploy and retrieve the camera trap, find out how the data is processed, and learn how to identify various shark and ray species.
Shark Tagging
By tagging individual pelagic sharks, we can follow their movements whenever they come close to a receiver. This gives us insight into a shark’s travelling range and migration patterns. For safety reasons, you will not be in direct contact with the shark during tagging procedures.
Estuary Protected
Area Monitoring
We routinely monitor protected areas we helped create many years ago to keep an eye on fish and invertebrate populations. This is a great chance to get in the water and observe seahorses, urchins, juvenile fish, and other invertebrates in their natural habitat
A Day
in the Life
Scroll to learn more about a typical day as an intern on our Marine Conservation on SCUBA Programme
New to Diving?
We have the perfect opportunity for you to learn
Regardless of your current diving experience, you can make a difference by helping with our underwater data collection activities while learning how to dive.
Prefer not to dive?
We got you!
Our snorkel-based programmes focus on species often seen at the surface or in shallow water and offer the perfect opportunity to contribute to our research and conservation efforts without the hassle of SCUBA gear.
Check out our humpback whale or manta ray/whale shark research and conservation programmes.
