A Year of Momentum: Science, Discovery, and Global Recognition
The year 2025 marked one of the most dynamic and visible chapters in the history of the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS). What began as a year of steady research quickly grew into a powerful wave of scientific discovery research, global collaboration, community engagement, and international recognition.
Across the Bazaruto Archipelago, long-term ecological monitoring expanded significantly. Partnerships strengthened. New technologies entered our workflow. Global publications spotlighted our work. And above all, 2025 reaffirmed BCSS as a trusted hub for Bazaruto marine science 2025 — a place where rigorous research meets community impact.
This is BCSS 2025 highlights.
Scientific Research Highlights: Advancing Understanding Across Ecosystems
This year reinforced BCSS’s role as a regional leader in empirical, place-based marine science. From megafauna mapping climate-focused research, every project strengthened our contribution to conservation in Mozambique and beyond.
A Whale Shark Encounter That Made Waves
One of the most exciting BCSS ocean research 2025 stories came from a rare whale shark encounter documented by the BCSS research team. Through high-quality imagery and spatial-temporal mapping, the sighting added valuable data to regional megafauna datasets — and captured the attention of conservation supporters and marine enthusiasts.
Image by BCSS/Orlando Miranda & Salvador Colvee: A rare encounter with a Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) swimming through shallow waters in the Bazaruto seascape.
Ocean Acidification Research Featured on the GOA-ON Portal
BCSS continued its critical role as a regional contributor to global ocean chemistry research. Data collected through our Ocean Observatory was integrated into the GOA-ON (Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network) portal, expanding worldwide understanding of ocean pH trends and climate impacts in the Western Indian Ocean.
BCSS at the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium
BCSS participated in the 13th Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) Scientific Symposium, held from 28 September to 3 October 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya. The symposium was co-organised by WIOMSA, the Nairobi Convention, the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), and UNESCO/IOC Sub-Commission for Africa and the Adjacent Islands (IOC AFRICA).
The event brought together over 1,300 participants from more than 40 countries, representing one of the largest and most influential marine science gatherings in the Western Indian Ocean region.
BCSS Scientific Contributions
BCSS made a significant contribution to the scientific programme, reinforcing its role as a leading research institution in the region:
- 2 first-authored oral presentations
- 1 book launch
- 3 co-authored scientific presentations
BCSS research presented at the symposium included:
Permanent Multi-Ecosystem Time-Series Research in the Bazaruto Archipelago Ocean Observatory
Lebrato, M., Kalashnikova, E., Jije-Goncalves, M., da Graça, M., Shabangu, F., Murie, C., Steiner, Z., Achterberg, E., Terrapon, M., Lillis, A., Caputo, M., Gavard, L., Nehama, F., Hoguane, A., and Hudson, I.
Cetacean Presence off Two East Africa Marine Protected Areas Kalashnikova, E., Lebrato, M., Orio, D.G., Lyne, P., Awbery, T., Ngowo, R., Terrapon, M., Jije-Goncalves, M., Shabangu, F.W., Özdemir, C., Dalkılıç, A., da Graça, M., Kalashnikov, P., and Akkaya, A.
Regional Impact
BCSS’s presence at WIOMSA 2025 highlighted the Bazaruto Archipelago as a critical long-term research site within the Western Indian Ocean and reinforced the organisation’s contribution to multi-ecosystem monitoring, cetacean research, and regional scientific collaboration.
WIOMSA Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Magazine
BCSS significantly contributed to a major publication on marine mammals in the Western Indian Ocean — highlighting the importance of long-term datasets in understanding population changes, distribution patterns, and conservation requirements for dolphins, whales, and dugongs.
The WIOMSA “People and the Environment” magazine highlights groundbreaking marine mammal research and conservation initiatives across the Western Indian Ocean.
Cetacean Research Presented at 36th ECS Conference
BCSS-supported cetacean monitoring was showcased at the 36th European Cetacean Society (ECS) conference, that took place in Azores in April 2025, positioning East Africa seascape as a model site for long-term marine mammal studies.
Building on this momentum, BCSS co-authored three abstracts submitted to the 37th ECS Conference, scheduled to take place in Scotland in April 2026.
Ekaterina Kalashnikova presenting BCSS-supported cetacean monitoring at the ECS conference.
HappyWhale Partnership: Mapping Whale Movements
Through our growing partnership with HappyWhale, BCSS contributed to global citizen science efforts by providing imagery and sightings that helped track whale migrations across ocean basins.
Through five years of continuous, systematic monitoring in the Bazaruto Archipelago (2021–2025), BCSS has built a growing catalogue of individually recognised humpback whales, identified by their unique fluke patterns, through consistent field presence and standardised photo-identification methods.
- 78 individual humpback whales identified: Each whale is recognised through unique fluke patterns using standardised photo-identification methods.
- 41 new whales documented in 2025: The strongest season to date, reflecting expanded survey effort and consistent field presence.
- 100% of usable fluke images submitted to Happywhale: All BCSS photo-ID records are fully integrated into the global Happywhale database.
All BCSS photo-ID records are fully integrated into the global Happywhale database.
This global connectivity has already produced confirmed international matches, demonstrating that humpback whales recorded in the Bazaruto Archipelago undertake long-distance migrations across the Western Indian Ocean. These findings strengthen regional understanding of migration routes and reinforce the importance of Mozambique as part of a broader migratory network.
The BCSS humpback whale catalogue is made possible through the combined efforts of BCSS researchers, trained contributors, students, and visiting scientists.
All photo-identification images are credited to their original photographers within the Happywhale platform and BCSS records.
Photo by Nanette Smith: Humpback whale tail fluke pattern.
SATLINK Collaboration for Smart Buoys Based Monitoring
Working with SATLINK, BCSS continued implementing smart buoys monitoring tools to support pelagic ecosystem analysis. This collaboration reflects a broader shift in conservation in Mozambique toward data-driven, technology-supported ocean protection.
SATLINK buoy deployed in the water.
BCSS is not only conducting world-class marine science — we are actively informing global conservation and climate understanding.
Media Recognition & Global Features: BCSS on the World Stage
Visibility plays a critical role in advancing conservation impact. In 2025, BCSS reached its widest international audience to date, with global media, scientific publications, and academic platforms highlighting both the ecological importance of the Bazaruto Archipelago and BCSS’s leadership in marine research, scientific diving, and conservation-driven tourism models.
International Media & Publications
Air France EnVols Magazine
BCSS was featured in Air France EnVols Magazine, shining a global light on the Bazaruto Archipelago and our commitment to sustainable marine science.
August 2025 edition of Air France’s in-flight magazine, EnVols
DAN’s Alert Diver – “Into the Blue”
BCSS’s work was showcased in three separate articles published by Divers Alert Network (DAN) in Alert Diver Magazine throughout 2025. These features explored BCSS’s approach to scientific diving, field-based research, and safety-driven operations, highlighting how rigorous science and best-practice dive protocols intersect at the BCSS Dive Centre.
DAN Alert Diver Magazine Spread
Broadcast & Documentary Coverage
TF1 (France)
BCSS hosted a visit from French national broadcaster (TF1), one of France’s leading national broadcasters. The resulting coverage focused on the ecological significance of the Bazaruto Archipelago, with particular attention on species such as dugongs, and the role of BCSS in supporting marine research, monitoring, and conservation awareness at an international level.
👉 Read the full article here: https://bcssmz.org/tf1-visit-dugong/
Thought Leadership & Academic Recognition
Conservation Diving with Purpose
Blogs and travel platforms highlighted BCSS as a destination for purpose-driven diving — reinforcing the idea that tourism can contribute directly to ecological monitoring and conservation.
Thesis Feature: Marine Conservation as a Destination Driver
An academic thesis examining marine science as a driver for sustainable tourism used BCSS as a case study, citing the station as an example of an emerging model where research, education, and ecotourism align.
Photo by Megan Hass: Sophia Schmalzer conducting marine surveys
Kisawa Sanctuary — Great East African Blue Migration
BCSS’s collaborative work with Kisawa Sanctuary was featured in the Kisawa Sanctuary publication “Great East African Blue Migration: Exploring whale season with BCSS researcher, Ekaterina Kalashnikova”, which highlights the ecological significance of the region’s pelagic migration routes and the role of long-term monitoring in conserving blue carbon ecosystems. This feature further amplifies the importance of the East African seascape as a priority conservation landscape and showcases BCSS’s contribution to regional marine science.
🔗 https://kisawasanctuary.com/great-east-african-blue-migration/
Strategic Communications Partnerships
Kambaku Publications
Through an ongoing partnership with Kambaku Publications, BCSS was featured across multiple editorial pieces throughout 2025, amplifying the organisation’s research, conservation philosophy, and collaborative approach to marine science. These features played a key role in extending BCSS’s reach across conservation, travel, and scientific audiences.
R2R Model with Kisawa Sanctuary
The BCSS x Kisawa Sanctuary R2R (Resort-to-Research) model continued gaining international attention as a powerful blueprint for linking hospitality, science, and community empowerment.
Kisawa Sanctuary
BCSS is not only conducting critical marine research — it is shaping global conversations around conservation, scientific diving, and sustainable tourism.
Organizational Collaborations & Partnerships: Strength in Global Networks
Partnerships define our approach to science. They enhance capabilities, expand datasets, and connect our local research to global frameworks.
HappyWhale
Tracking whale movements across hemispheres through citizen-science image matching.
GOA-ON
Supporting global monitoring of ocean acidity with long-term datasets from Benguerra Island.
SATLINK
Advancing enforcement and monitoring in pelagic environments with satellite-based tools.
WIOMSA
Advancing marine research in the Western Indian Ocean through collaborative science, data sharing, and regional capacity building.
UNE Symposium
Representing the Bazaruto Archipelago’s cetacean research at high-level scientific gatherings.
NGO Collaborations Across Africa
BCSS continued strengthening relationships with regional and international conservation organizations, reinforcing our role as a collaborative hub for marine partnerships Africa.
BCSS belongs to a global community — a network of respected partners working toward shared ocean goals.
BCSS Research Station and Ocean Observatory Brochure
Public-Facing Materials & Digital Growth: A More Accessible BCSS
This year also focused on making BCSS more accessible for divers, interns, researchers, and supporters worldwide.
A New Website and User Experience
BCSS launched major updates to its website, improving navigation, highlighting opportunities, and making information easier to find. These improvements support users at every stage — from first-time visitors to returning collaborators.
New Brochures for 2025
A full suite of updated brochures was released, including:
- Ocean Observatory
- Dive Centre
- Scientific Training Program
- Dive Sites
- Pre-Departure Guide
- Station Welcome Guide
Each brochure was crafted to enhance clarity, professionalism, and user readiness.
Digital Community Growth
BCSS saw strong growth across social media, newsletters, and blog readership — proving that people around the world want to follow, support, and engage with our mission.BCSS is more accessible, and more ready than ever to welcome participants and partners in 2026.
Top row (left to right): Bento Zivane · Nelson Nhamussua · Orlando Zivane
Bottom row (left to right): Celso Sardinha · Dércio Maoze · Kesia van der Merwe · Evan Hamlyn
Team Growth & New Staff Highlights
As BCSS’s research, operations, and outreach expanded throughout 2025, so did the team supporting this work on the ground and across platforms. New staff and partners joined BCSS during the year, strengthening operational capacity, scientific leadership, and day-to-day excellence at the station.
Kitchen & Operations
Bento Zivane — Chef
Bento Zivane joined the BCSS team in June 2025, supporting the growing demands of the station’s kitchen operations. With many years of experience working at Kisawa Sanctuary and Azura Benguerra Island, Bento brings deep local knowledge and professional hospitality experience. He is pleased to be working once again within the Bazaruto Archipelago, contributing his skills to BCSS and supporting the daily needs of researchers, trainees, and visiting teams.
Dive Operations
Nelson Nhamussua — Dive Instructor
Nelson Nhamussua is a highly qualified dive instructor with extensive experience managing dive courses, expeditions, and guest interactions. He plays a pivotal role in BCSS’s day-to-day diving activities, ensuring that all operations meet the organisation’s high safety and training standards. Nelson divides his time between BCSS and Kisawa Sanctuary, helping maintain consistent operational quality across both institutions.
Maintenance & Infrastructure
Orlando Zivane — Workshop Technician
Orlando Zivane is a skilled workshop technician with over eight years of experience in maintenance and repair. Specialising in carpentry, Orlando has a proven track record of improving workshop efficiency and supporting infrastructure upkeep. He joined BCSS in June 2025 and looks forward to many more years contributing to the smooth operation and maintenance of the research station.
Scientific Leadership & Coordination
Dércio Maoze — Research Manager
Dércio Maoze is a marine scientist with experience in applied ecology and reef monitoring. He holds a degree in Marine Biology and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Applied Ecology. His expertise includes environmental data analysis, species identification, and scientific writing. As Research Manager, Dércio supports BCSS research projects and contributes to advancing understanding of Mozambique’s marine ecosystems.
Celso Sardinha — Booking Manager & Onsite Coordinator
Celso Sardinha oversees bookings, logistics, and onsite operations at BCSS, ensuring seamless coordination and high-quality service delivery. With experience in logistics, operations, and environmental projects in Mozambique, and a background in marine biology, Celso bridges scientific understanding with operational excellence across daily station activities.
Communications & Digital Partnerships
Evan Hamlyn — Marketing Partner
Evan Hamlyn serves as BCSS’s outsourced Marketing Partner, leading digital strategy, website development, and SEO through his agency, Legs Brands®. Working closely with the BCSS leadership team, Evan supports the organisation’s online presence, visibility, and outreach through data-driven, purpose-led marketing aligned with BCSS’s scientific mission.
Kesia van der Merwe — Marketing Partner
Kesia van der Merwe supports BCSS as an outsourced Social Media and Design Partner from Legs Brands®. She manages the organisation’s visual identity and digital content, ensuring BCSS’s research, conservation work, and field activities are communicated clearly and consistently across platforms. With a focus on meaningful storytelling and brand cohesion, Kesia helps translate complex science into accessible content for global audiences.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Join the Momentum
The achievements of 2025 were made possible through the support, collaboration, and shared commitment of our community. As we move into 2026, BCSS is expanding its programmes, strengthening partnerships, and deepening long-term research across key ecosystems of the Bazaruto Archipelago.
Whether you are a diver, student, researcher, NGO partner, or global supporter, there are meaningful ways to engage with and support BCSS’s work:
- Apply for the Scientific Training Programme
https://bcssmz.org/scientific-training-program/ - Book a science-aligned dive experience
https://bcssmz.org/diving/ - Collaborate with BCSS on research and logistics
https://bcssmz.org/logistical-support-consultancy/ - Partner with BCSS to support conservation and monitoring
Through research collaboration, data sharing, technical support, or long-term conservation partnerships.
BCSS has built strong momentum. Our science continues to grow, our collaborative network is expanding, and our mission — protecting the ecosystems of the Bazaruto Archipelago through rigorous research and partnerships — remains more urgent than ever.
If you are interested in contributing expertise, capacity, or collaboration rather than funding alone, we welcome conversations that help advance shared conservation goals.
Explore our training programmes, dive experiences, and research partnerships at www.bcssmz.org
More information:
For questions about this article, please contact:
Ekaterina Kalashnikova, Bazaruto Archipelago – Ocean Observatory Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies ekaterina.kalashnikova@bcssmz.org
To get in touch and collaborate with our research Center , please visit https://bcssmz.org/logistical-support-consultancy/
To learn more about our Scientific Training Program, please see https://bcssmz.org/scientific-training-program/