(3-minute read)
I have found myself in Guinjata, Mozambique for the last two weeks. Here I was working with NGO Love The Oceans, assisting with their projects in fisheries, coral surveying, and community outreach. Guinjata is within Jangamo Bay, which is a Mission Blue Hope Spot – meaning it is a special place that is scientifically identified as critical to the health of the ocean. It was a privilege to see such a beautiful place and to be able to contribute toward the impactful work done here by Love The Oceans.
Week 1 – Training, Painting, and Snorkeling
I started my time here with helping the LTO Marine Program Coordinator, Inés, excavate an old turtle nest and even work on BRUVs! This week was introductory and we received a lot of presentations on LTO’s mission, separate projects, and what we volunteers would be doing during our time here. You can read more about LTO’s projects here!
I was also able to help with fisheries which is where LTO Field Officer, Bento, and I waited for incoming and outgoing fishermen to show us their catches. We measured the total and head length as well as head width, and then later we would ID the fish.
Then later this week we got to do something really cool. We went to Guinjata school and painted a world map on a classroom wall. It took a couple of days to complete but it was a really fun project to do. I was also able to show the students my drone, which they really enjoyed!
And of course we finished the week with a fun snorkel!
Week 2 – Cyclone, Professional Development, and Diving!
This week started off with some bad weather due to an offshore cyclone. However, with LTO’s flexible program, we focused on their indoor plastics project and received a CV/resume workshop.
LTO has a 3-in-1 machine at their base that shreds, injects, and extrudes plastics. We were able to press the plastic (sourced from the local beach) into molds shaped like different marine animals ie: rays, hammerhead sharks, humpback whales, etc. and make them into key chains or earrings. Of course I opted for some earrings!
After that, once the weather cleared up, we were able to get in the water and conduct a couple of coral reef surveys! The previous week we were able to go free diving to see a nearby reef and see how it’s healthy and full of a lot of common reef fish. Then this week, where we did the reef surveys, we saw a reef going through a phase shift where they aren’t looking as vibrant and full of life. It was interesting to see the difference.
And then of course, sticking to my theme, the last few days of my trip I ended up getting sick. Regardless, I didn’t let illness prevent me from taking in the sights of such a beautiful location and I still had a great end to my trip due to the lovely LTO staff and volunteers.
Conclusion
Despite only being here a limited two weeks, I feel like I was able to learn a lot and gain a few more skills in the realm of marine science. I am interested in working in remote locations in the future so this was another experience further introducing me to that which is really cool!
Thank you so much to Francesca Trotman, Inés Costa, and the rest of the team from Love The Oceans for hosting me and teaching me more about the work you do!
Thank you to the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society and our sponsor Rolex for making this scholarship experience a possibility. I would also like to thank Reef Photo and Video, Nauticam and Light and Motion for my underwater camera setup as well as Aqualung, Fourth Element, Suunto, Halcyon, and DUI for my diving equipment.
