We are very excited to announce the launch of our Marine Science Program. The program is tailored at individuals who are passionate about the ocean, marine research and environmental conservation. The opportunity to volunteer or join one of the internships was created with the goal of providing chances and potential career prospects for those who would like to pursue an ocean-focused career path. Joining the BCSS Ocean Observatory on Benguerra Island, volunteers and interns are offered a once-in-a-lifetime experience to explore and observe the incredible biodiverse waters of the BANP with world-leading scientists and environmentalists.
The BCSS Marine Science Program exists of two sets of programs (volunteering and internships) aimed at individuals who are interested in marine science and learning more about topics like conservation, sustainability, marine life and ecosystems in the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park. Both programs give the participant the opportunity to gain valuable core skills in marine sciences, from collecting sea water samples and analysing those and identifying marine life from the boat, to technical diving and 3D seabed mapping surveys. Volunteers and inters will assist our resident scientists on the marine research projects, learning first-hand about pressing environmental issues and what can be done about them.
The Bazaruto Archipelago: the ideal location to learn
The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP) is a 30-minute boat ride off the coast of southern Mozambique. Home to the last viable population of dugongs in the Western Indian Ocean, the BANP is an unexplored sanctuary for wildlife and marine animals, and the only Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Mozambique. Through research with BCSS, volunteers and interns will be able to dive in one of the world’s most diverse coral reef ecosystems, supporting over 2000 species of fish, and witness wildlife behaviour such as open ocean shark feeding frenzies, turtle breeding as well as the migration of humpback whales and hammerhead sharks.
“The staff and facilities at BCSS are simply amazing, with the perfect location for our research trips out by boat each day. The views are incredible from the accommodation, and we loved the chance to explore the rest of the island by 4×4.” – Josie Chandler, shark research volunteer and marine biologist
Volunteering Programs
The volunteering programs are for anyone who would like to learn more about marine science and conservation, while at the same time getting scuba- or free-diving certified, be taught how to practice permaculture and live on Benguerra Island. Wanting the volunteering programs to be accessible to as many as possible, our packages have been created to be accessible in terms of budgets, seasons and timing requirements. One can now apply for the following programs:
- Experience Assist (2 weeks)
- Engage & Help (4 weeks)
- Emerge & Contribute (6 weeks)
- Study & Protect (8 weeks)
Internship programs
The internship programs were created for people who are preparing for a career in marine sciences, conservation or general sustainability. Guided by BCSS scientists and management, participants will see how marine research is conducted from up-close, and might even have the opportunity to co-author a science paper as they contribute to valuable research.
- Marine Research (4, 8, 12 weeks)
- Dive Master (12 weeks) (PADI)
- Marine Station Mgt (4, 8, 12 weeks)
- Photography (2, 4 weeks)
Besides the standard programs, BCSS offers optional leisure activities that volunteers/interns can book (like horse riding and dhow boat trips), and courses like PADI scuba diving, Pure Apnea freediving and permaculture.
For more information on the Marine Science Program, please find the brochure here. If you are interested in applying for a volunteer or internship program, please send an e-mail to info@bcssmz.org and we will get back to you as soon as we can. If you are an agent and would like to offer our Marine Science Program on your website, please send an e-mail to Claire.Ward@bcssmz.org
