Mozambican Marine Conservation

As a volunteer on this incredible marine conservation project, you will be exposed to the raw underwater environment and magnificent marine mega fauna which makes Tofo, Mozambique, one of the most special marine environments on the planet!

During your time volunteering on this unique project, you directly contribute to the marine conservation project and activities of the Marine Megafauna Foundation and work together with its world renowned scientists in the field of the ocean giants - manta rays and whale sharks. This exciting program has been designed and will be monitored (whether on-site or remotely via Skype conference) by the world-renowned ‘Manta Queen’, Dr. Andrea Marshall. As she herself puts says:

During your time on this unique volunteer project, as well as getting a dive qualification, which is included in the project fee, you will directly contribute to the marine conservation project and activities of the foundation and work together with its world renowned scientists in the field of the ocean giants - manta rays and whale sharks. This exciting program has been designed and will be monitored (whether on-site or remotely via Skype conference) by the world-renowned 'Manta Queen', Dr. Andrea Marshall.

Whether Dr. Marshall is on site during your stay or not, you will always remain under the guidance of a highly qualified and experienced Research and Volunteer Coordinator and you will also have continuous access to other marine biologists, who will always be available to answer any queries that you may have about any aspect of the project. Volunteers will be involved in all of the Marine Megafauna Foundations programmes. This will involve assessing the health of populations of manta rays, whale sharks, marine turtles (including critically endangered leatherbacks), dugongs and even humpback whales (during the winter months).

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival into Tofo via Inhambane Airport (only 22kms away). A project representative will meet you at arrivals and will transport you to your accommodation. Don’t worry – the airport is tiny so you won’t get lost!

Day 2-3

After your arrival you will receive a two day period of induction and training by your research and volunteer coordinator. For non-divers, you will start with a recognised PADI Open Water scuba course, or if you already have this a PADI Advanced Open Water scuba course with partnering dive company Peri-Peri Divers (costs are already included within the programme). This will take you between 4 and 7 days depending on the weather and sea conditions. If you are already an Advanced Open Water qualified diver, you will start your research programme immediately.

Day 4-14

During these days you will be engaging in 8 research dives, an estuary research snorkelling trip, 2 megafauna research talks and will be participating in daily research activities. Even though you will be taking part in a variety of activities 5 days a week, there will be sufficient free time for you to explore and enjoy everything Tofo has to offer.

Day 15

On this, your final day and after saying goodbye to the project staff and the volunteers you have gotten to know whilst at the project, you will be transferred back to Inhambane Airport for your onwards flight or you will commence your onwards travel plans.

Project Activities

On this project you will get the chance to take part in a wide variety of exciting activities. Below are examples of some of those included in this project.

Manta Ray Work 
This will include photo ID-ing the reef and giant mantas (up to 9 metres across!) as you see them, laser measuring individuals, watching and assisting scientists in taking biological samples, as well as uploading identification pictures to relevant databases and record re-sightings on mantamatcher.org.

Whale Shark Work
The area immediately off Tofo is a global hotspot for the world’s largest fish, with over 620 of these gentle giants identified within Mozambican waters. You will actively help in whale shark research by: Training in whale shark photo ID-ing and watching the process of tagging and tissue sampling, Gathering information on GPS location, segregation, sex, behaviour and specific characteristics such as scarring, Taking underwater pictures of the personal “fingerprints” of whale sharks, Uploading pictures to databases and recording re-sightings and contributing to the analysis of this scientific data in close collaboration with the Marine Megafauna Foundation.

Start Dates

Every Monday throughout the year - please enquire for more information.

Costs / Benefits

Prices start from £1895

What's included in the price of the project?
• Airport transfers from Inhambane
• Accommodation and meals as indicated
• All volunteering activity equipment and all activities
A single dive course per volunteer (Open Water if not qualified or Advanced Open Water otherwise)
• Project orientation and support from the Marine Megafauna Foundation staff
• English speaking project leader
• Conservation donation

What's not included?

• All flights and visa costs
• Vaccinations and anti-malarials
• Travel insurance (note you MUST get insurance which covers you for diving – this is ESSENTIAL in order to join this project)
• Alcoholic beverages and any extra snacks

Requirements

The project involves open ocean swimming, so you will have to be fit enough (and a strong enough swimmer) to cope with this! Those that struggle with swimming are not advised to join this project - we advise that you must be able to swim around 200 metres comfortably in order to join this project. No specific skills or experience are required, however, we would advise that you come with an open mind and hold a significant interest in marine life and overall conservation efforts!