FIELDWORK

SCIENTIFIC DIVING SUPPORT

Empowering marine research through fieldwork, data, and operational excellence

The Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS) provides end-to-end logistical and scientific support for oceanographic and environmental projects in Mozambique and across the Western Indian Ocean.
Located within the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, BCSS offers a fully equipped research base and operational fleet, enabling scientists, professionals, and students to conduct high-quality fieldwork in one of the most data-rich and biodiverse marine environments in the region.

Our team combines field experience, oceanographic infrastructure, and technical knowledge to deliver safe, efficient, and scientifically robust project implementation — from planning and permits to data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Gap (2 Mile)
• Kingfish Alley
• Atlantis
• Forrest Gump
• Turtle Coves
• Marlin Pinnables
• Area 51
• The Rollercoaster
• The FAD
• Shark Vaal
• Amphitheatre
• 9-Mile Shallow

8 BCD + regulator sets
12 wetsuits
14 sets of scuba fins
10 sets of freediving fins
20 pairs of booties
15 masks
6 SMBs
5 slates

We recommend that you bring your own wetsuit, fins, mask, and any additional gear for your comfort and to ensure equipment availability for all diving opportunities.

1 dry lab
1 wet lab
1 workshop
1 fishing gear room
2 storage rooms
1 conference room
1 welding facility
1 recycling facility

Glassware & Flasks (various)
Borosilicate flasks (250 ml)
Falcon & Eppendorf Tubes (2, 15, 50 ml)
2 centrifuges
2 precision balances
3 hot baths
1 YSI multi-probe
1 Delta OHM multiprobe
1 plankton filtration system
3 plankton nets (50-200 µm mesh)
2 drying ovens
2 metal sinks
3 microscopes
4 working tables
4 fridges (4-8 ºC)
3 freezers (-20 ºC)
5 white boards
5 Wi-Fi hotspots
10 identification guides

1 Lowrance 12” HDS LIVE plotter
1 transductor Active Imaging 3 in 1
1 transductor Airmar TM185HW 150-250 khz
1 Raymarine 9” A62 plotter
1 MaxSea timezero 2D/3D sidescan software
2 Nansen bottles (water sampling)
1 Van Veen grabber (sediment sampler)
2 sediment corers (russian)
16 moorings (40-60 kg)
20 buoys (various)
6 counting quadrats (50 and 100 cm2)
30 fishing rods & reels
6 tagging applicators
20 HOBO sensors (temperature-light)
10 VEMCO Receivers
2 ST600 SoundTraps
1 weather station
1 crane (2-tone)
1 crane (50 kg)
4 towing cameras
6 camera frames (rated 200 m)
2 deep-sea lights (rated 200 m)
2 luna-tubes (running water feed)

RESEARCH LOGISTICS

Fieldwork Logistics & Operational Support

BCSS provides full logistical coordination for research teams and expeditions:

Vessel-based fieldwork, diving, and survey operations in coastal and offshore zones
Deployment, maintenance, and retrieval of moorings, buoys, and sensors
Sample collection and storage following international standards
Multidisciplinary surveys across coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and open ocean ecosystems
Safety management, emergency response protocols, and radio communications

TRACKING OCEAN HEALTH

Oceanographic Data & Environmental Monitoring

As part of the BCSS Ocean Observatory, our field station maintains continuous, high-resolution monitoring systems that generate long-term datasets across spatial and temporal scales.

We provide access to and support with:

In-situ oceanographic and atmospheric data (temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, chlorophyll a, currents, biomass)
Sensor calibration and deployment, including YSI multiparameter probes, HOBO data loggers, and acoustic recorders
Satellite-based and in-situ time-series data integration (Meteomatics, Copernicus, NOAA)
Support with data analysis, modelling, and R-based workflows
Design and implementation of monitoring programs for research, conservation, and environmental impact assessment

BUILDING SKILLS FOR OCEAN SCIENCE

Training, Education & Research Support

BCSS is a hub for hands-on learning and professional development in marine science.

Our training and consultancy services include:

Field-based instruction in oceanographic methods, survey design, and instrument operation
Student project facilitation, data mentorship, and thesis supervision
Technical workshops on data management, remote sensing, and ecosystem monitoring
Guidance on permits, ethics, and research compliance within the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park

EXPERT SUPPORT FOR MARINE SCIENCE

Consultancy & Technical Expertise

With a multidisciplinary team of oceanographers, ecologists, and logistics professionals, BCSS provides consultancy and technical assistance for:

Research project design and planning
Oceanographic equipment setup and calibration
Environmental data processing and visualization
Capacity-building collaborations with NGOs, universities, and intergovernmental organizations

We support partners from concept to completion — ensuring scientific quality, operational safety, and compliance with local and international standards.

THE HEART OF BCSS RESEARCH

The BCSS Ocean Observatory

At the core of our work is the BCSS Ocean Observatory, a multi-ecosystem, time-series monitoring platform that integrates moorings, buoys, sensors, and remote satellite data.
Through this observatory, we measure over 30 environmental and biogeochemical parameters, including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, biomass, pH, and stable isotopes — contributing to international networks such as GEOTRACES, SIBER-SCOR, and GOA-ON (UNESCO/NOAA endorsed).

This platform provides real-time insights into ocean variability, ecosystem function, and climate interactions — serving as a foundation for scientific research and regional conservation.