BCSS is an innovative platform hosting the first permanent Ocean Observatory focused on multi-ecosystem time series research in Africa.
We aim to use our strategic location and data to support environmental management at a local level, facilitate regional collaboration, and contribute to international scientific programs.
Our founding principles are to understand, protect and guarantee marine science in Eastern African marine ecosystems. We strive to be an international example of science management with tangible results. Our Ocean Observatory data are free and open-access, to guarantee access to critical scientific information.
Dive, study, explore
Courses, expeditions, training
Everything you may need to successfully conduct your (scientific) project, with direct ocean access.
Knowledge, equipment, manpower
Dive, study, explore
Courses, expeditions, training
Everything you may need to successfully conduct your (scientific) project, with direct ocean access.
Knowledge, equipment, manpower
Ecosystem function &
monitoring
Monitoring the ocean over time and space (time-series) helps scientists to better understand intricate workings of marine ecosystems. This theme combines remote sensing, underwater and seabed measurements, based on different temporal resolutions (continuous to monthly).
Species identification &Â
habitat mapping
Conducting of open ocean, coastal, seabed and underwater surveys to study marine life hotspots and learn how organisms interact with the environment over time and space. This theme focuses on resident and migratory species identification and monitoring those during the year to comprehend their distribution.
Migratory fish populations
dynamics
Locating and tagging pelagic fish species via research fishing techniques and bio-samples collection to understand ecosystem processes. Combining research fishing practices with bio-samples recovery to gain insight into habitat use, how environmental constraints impact their migration, and how they use the water masses and MPAs.
Marine debris monitoring
Implemented across predetermined study sites, our survey methodology involves a monthly accumulative approach. These marine debris surveys play a pivotal role in understanding the enter and buildup of debris within the distinct ecosystems of Benguerra Island, encompassing mangroves, seagrass beds, mudflats, and sandy beaches.
LATEST ARTICLE
Over the course of five years, the BCSS marine research station had monitoring effort of 3860 hours in the open sea of the Mozambique Channel. Its growing database now boasts records of at least nine cetacean species, documented through over 1000 sightings, totalling over 6000 animals encountered. Notably, more than 1000 of these individuals are migrating humpback whales. These remarkable counts stem from visual observations, highlighting species richness of the area, and underpinning further protection of this critical habitat. Â
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