African Whale Shark and Manta Ray Conservation Project, Mozambique

  Mozambique

Inhambane

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 4, 6 or 8 weeks

Description: The Whale Shark Conservation Project aims to monitor: whale shark and manta ray population numbers and behaviour; loggerhead turtle nesting activity; and coral reef condition, in order to make recommendations for improving the conservation of marine biodiversity. It involves field data collection via the following means: beach walks; boat surveys; swims and dives on the coastline of Mozambique around Tofo. It also involves assisting with tourist education, and general welcoming of tourists to the area and basic interpretation. The project involves collaboration with the Whale Shark and Manta Ray Research Trust and Tofo Scuba, both based at Tofo, as well as the Natural History Museum of Mozambique, based in Maputo, and a number of international marine research bodies.
The second component of the project involves research on whale sharks. These are the world's largest fish and, although they are part of the shark family, are harmless to humans as they feed on plankton. Whale sharks are a threatened species and are relatively easy to monitor owing to their large size. They are also good indicators of ocean health / productivity, and play a flagship role for the conservation of other marine creatures.
The third aspect of the project is the monitoring of the nesting activity of loggerhead and leatherback turtles. Their nesting sites are becoming increasingly threatened by human activity along the beaches and there is also hunting of adult turtles occurring as they lay their eggs.

Highlights: This volunteer project in Africa includes: Marine Wildlife Conservation - Whale Shark & Turtle Research - Scuba Diving, Tofo

    - Dive course  a 4-day, internationally recognised open-water scuba diving course
    - Reef transect dives  scuba diving along line transects, above the reef to record coral condition, benthic cover and indicator species
    - Boat surveys  to locate and snorkel with whale sharks, record their position, photograph them for identification of individuals, and estimate their population numbers
    - Beach observation to:
    - locate whale pods, record their position and estimate their population numbers
    - locate and record turtle nest sites (during laying season)
    - visit turtle nest sites and record hatching success (during hatching season)
    - record fishing catch quantities and species
    - assess levels of beach traffic
    - Awareness and education  generate awareness about the conservation of whales harks and manta rays, and to develop educational materials for this purpose

Qualifications: Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants' health

Cost in US$: 4 wks-USD 3590; 6 wks-USD 4290, 8 wks-USD 4990

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants health

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Mozambique Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Written Application

African Impact's Mission Statement: African Impact facilitates cultural exchange programmes through volunteer work. We awards you the opportunity to immerse yourselves in local schools, health institutions, communities and wildlife conservation programmes. In this way as a volunteer you are able to leave your mark on a corner of Africa whilst at the same time experiencing a lifestyle that will shift your perspectives and allow you to see our world in a different light. We invite you to join us on a journey to Africa to explore, to inspire and to impact. We invite you to be more than a tourist, but to be a traveller, a conservationist and a humanitarian.

Year Founded: 1999