Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies

12/08/2026

Continuous learning is an essential part of professional marine operations 🌊🔬

BCSS recently held a refresher workshop for our experienced skippers, revisiting standardised data-collection protocols for whales and dolphins - including species identification, group composition, behaviour, location and environmental conditions. Consistent and accurate observations help turn every encounter at sea into valuable scientific data, strengthening long-term cetacean research and monitoring in the greater Bazaruto seascape 🐋🌍

The workshop also reinforced the Code of Conduct and international best-practice standards for responsible whale and dolphin watching, including appropriate approach distances, vessel positioning, speed and encounter duration - with animal welfare always the priority. By continually refreshing these protocols, BCSS supports national capacity building and ensures our marine team remains aligned with evolving scientific and operational standards.

The guidelines used in the training were developed under the supervision and guidance of Dr Aylin Akkaya , Chief Scientist and Founder of the DMAD - Marine Mammals Research Association.

🔗 Learn more about our research, diving, and scientific training opportunities via our website

11/08/2026

An extraordinary encounter in the Bazaruto Archipelago 🌊

Our BCSS team, including Scientific Training Programme and Divemaster students and divers, encountered an incredible group of 20 dugongs in the sheltered lagoon.

Even for us, this was a rare and unforgettable sight, as we usually encounter only one or two individuals at a time.

Bazaruto Archipelago National Park was gazetted to help protect the last viable dugong population in the Western Indian Ocean. Their survival is inseparable from the health of the Archipelago’s seagrass meadows - vital ecosystems that provide food and habitat for marine life while storing carbon and supporting coastal resilience 🌍🪸

We gratefully acknowledge the important research and conservation work led by ANAC and African Parks in managing and protecting this remarkable seascape.

Join us this season and experience marine research in action 🔬🌊

📩 Enquire now for upcoming departures: [email protected]

📸 Video courtesy of Gunnar Oberhosel

07/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Louis!

We're proud to celebrate Louis Pattyn on earning his PADI Divemaster certification through BCSS.

Alongside developing his professional diving skills, Louis contributed to our research activities, gaining hands-on experience in marine science and field data collection within the Bazaruto Archipelago.

Congratulations on this fantastic milestone, we wish you all the very best for the future! 🌊🤿

🔗 Read Louis' full LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/louis-pattyn-88367b240_big-milestone-unlocked-im-officially-activity-7490312121784733696-SR6c?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=android_app&rcm=ACoAACtRQ54BkXEDwidECmZeDwUwTAjFcU3y95w&utm_campaign=whatsapp

Big milestone unlocked 🤿, I'm officially a PADI Dive Master! I am very happy to share that I have completed my PADI Dive Master Training with Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS). This program gave me the confidence and experience to become a professional dive leader. During this time, I...

04/08/2026

BCSS is hiring a Station Manager to lead scientific operations at our Ocean Observatory in the Bazaruto Archipelago 🌊

This role is central to supporting long-term marine research — coordinating logistics, managing teams, and ensuring the smooth running of daily operations in a remote field environment.

Working at the intersection of science, conservation, and operations, the Station Manager enables the work that happens offshore — from reef surveys to long-term monitoring programmes.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a growing Ocean Observatory, contributing to scientific research and conservation efforts in the Western Indian Ocean.

🔗 Learn more and apply:
https://bcssmz.org/bcss-is-hiring-a-station-manager/

or email your CV to [email protected] 📩

27/07/2026

Join the conversation this MPA Day 2026 🌊

Marine Protected Areas play a vital role in conserving biodiversity, supporting coastal communities, and building resilient ocean ecosystems. But effective ocean protection depends on more than science alone – it depends on people.

Join Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Management Network - WIOMPAN on 31 July for the MPA Day 2026 Webinar: Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection, bringing together experts and practitioners to explore the future of Marine Protected Areas, conservation leadership, and community engagement across the region.

📅 31 July 2026
🕚 11:00–12:00 EAT
📲 Register using the QR code in the graphic or follow this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2FDn47nAQ0eR5PIPf7GU5w?_gl=1*x5v8c8*_ga*MTM0NDI4ODgzLjE3NDEyNTgyOTI.*_ga_L8TBF28DDX*czE3ODQwOTc2MjUkbzc5JGcxJHQxNzg0MDk5MDMwJGo0NSRsMCRoMA.. #/registration

📖 Learn more about the event on the WIOMSA Blog: https://blog.wiomsa.net/2026/07/16/save-the-date-mpa-day-2026-webinar-ocean-protection-needs-human-connection/

We look forward to supporting this important discussion and celebrating the people working to protect our oceans 🐋🔬

26/07/2026

Today is the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem 🌱🌍

Mangroves are often overlooked, yet they are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth.

They provide nursery habitats for countless marine species, stabilise coastlines, protect communities from erosion and storm surges, improve water quality, and absorb four times as much carbon as normal forests—making them one of nature's most effective climate solutions.

Healthy mangroves support healthy oceans 🌱🪸🌊

Protecting these coastal forests means protecting fisheries, biodiversity, coastal livelihoods, and the marine ecosystems that depend on them.

Across the Western Indian Ocean, conserving mangrove ecosystems is an essential part of safeguarding the long-term health and resilience of our coastline.

Today, we celebrate these remarkable ecosystems and the role they play in the future of our oceans 🌊

24/07/2026

Why are whale sharks suddenly appearing in the Bazaruto Archipelago? 🦈🌊

The short answer is: we don't know for sure.
And that's what makes it so interesting.

Scientists believe whale shark presence may be linked to a combination of food availability, ocean currents, seasonal productivity, and environmental conditions. But despite being the largest fish on Earth, many aspects of whale shark ecology remain surprisingly poorly understood.

As sightings increase around Bazaruto, researchers are asking important questions:
What is attracting them here?
How long do they stay?
Are the same individuals returning?
And what can they tell us about the health of the wider ecosystem?

Every sighting, photograph, and observation helps build a clearer picture.

Through the BCSS Ocean Observatory and our Whale Shark Photo-Identification Expeditions, researchers and citizen scientists are working together to better understand one of the ocean's most enigmatic species.

📖 Read the full blog: https://bcssmz.org/bcss-whale-shark-research-expeditions-mozambique/

📸 Interested in contributing to whale shark research? Learn more about our Whale Shark Photo-Identification Expeditions and Scientific Training Program.

(Residents of SADC countries are encouraged to enquire about dedicated regional pricing available on selected diving experiences and program).

23/07/2026

Celebrating the ocean's great communicators and the science helping protect them on World Whale & Dolphin Day 🐋🐬

These remarkable marine mammals are among the ocean's most intelligent, socially complex, and wide-ranging animals. From humpback whales migrating thousands of kilometres each year to the resident dolphins found throughout the Bazaruto Archipelago, every species plays an important role in healthy marine ecosystems.

Whale and dolphin research is about more than counting animals. It helps us understand migration routes, habitat use, population health, ocean change, and the connections that exist across entire ocean basins.

During this year's whale season, BCSS researchers, students, and citizen scientists continue contributing to long-term photo-identification and cetacean monitoring throughout the Western Indian Ocean.

Every sighting, every photograph, and every observation helps us better understand—and ultimately protect—these extraordinary animals.

Happy World Whale and Dolphin Day 🌊

22/07/2026

If your marine science, conservation, or volunteer programme in Mozambique has recently been cancelled due to the closure of your booking provider, BCSS is here to help you continue your journey 🌊

🐋 BCSS remains fully operational, and we're committed to helping affected participants continue their conservation journey with as little disruption as possible.

🔬 Our Scientific Training Program offers immersive placements ranging from 2 to 12 weeks at Africa's first permanent Ocean Observatory. Participants work alongside marine scientists, gain hands-on field and laboratory experience, and contribute directly to long-term marine research and conservation in the Bazaruto Archipelago.

We're offering special conditions to participants whose original programmes have been cancelled, and we'll do our best to accommodate your planned travel dates wherever possible.

📩 If you'd like to explore your options, send us a direct message or email us at [email protected].

We hope to welcome you to Mozambique and help you continue your conservation journey 💙

20/07/2026

What if protecting the ocean also helped you reconnect with yourself? 🌊

The ocean has long been recognised for its ability to restore, inspire and calm. At BCSS, we believe it can also teach.

This November, we're partnering with Africa to host a unique five-day experience combining scientific diving, marine conservation, and mindfulness at Africa's first permanent Ocean Observatory.

Dive alongside marine scientists, learn about one of the Western Indian Ocean's most biodiverse ecosystems, and discover how slowing down can deepen both your understanding of the ocean—and your connection to it.

Because sometimes the greatest discoveries happen both beneath the surface and within ourselves.

🌊 4–8 November 2026
📍 BCSS Ocean Observatory, Benguerra Island

🔗 Learn more: https://mindwise.me/a-unique-mindful-diving-and-research-experience/

📩 Reserve your place: [email protected]