As climate change accelerates and global fisheries strain under mounting pressure, the call for transparent, real-time ocean data has never been louder. In the dynamic waters of the Mozambique Channel, where marine biodiversity thrives alongside increasing human activity, understanding the ocean isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.
From shifting currents to coral reef health, from fish stock management to storm pattern prediction, ocean intelligence shapes policy, conservation, and the future of coastal nations. This is why the SATLINK BCSS partnership matters now more than ever.
Across the globe, the push for open-access, high-frequency marine data is reshaping how we protect, manage, and understand our oceans. At the heart of this transformation is the newly expanded Satlink & BCSS partnership — a collaborative initiative between the global tech company SATLINK and the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS) in Mozambique.
Their mission? To bring cutting-edge ocean tracking tools to East Africa, support regional conservation planning, and democratize access to marine science through satellite-linked buoy technology.
Real-Time Data for a Region Under Pressure
The Indian Ocean is both one of the richest biodiversity zones on Earth and one of the least studied. Coastal nations like Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, and Madagascar rely heavily on marine ecosystems for food, economic activity, and climate resilience — yet many decisions are made with limited or outdated data.
This is where real-time ocean data becomes essential. When collected continuously and made accessible, it can inform:
- The design of marine protected areas (MPAs)
- Coral reef health assessments
- Seasonal fish stock management
- Climate impact modelling
- Oceanographic education and forecasting
The ocean is changing faster than we can react. Real-time data allows us to stay ahead — not just respond after the fact.
The challenge? Many parts of East Africa lack the infrastructure to gather and process such data at scale. That’s exactly what this partnership aims to change.
BCSS team members deploying a SATLINK buoy into the water.
Expanding the SATLINK x BCSS Partnership
Building on previous collaborations, the 2025 expansion of the SATLINK BCSS partnership formalizes a multi-country deployment of SATLINK buoy systems across the region.
With BCSS acting as the operational lead in Mozambique, the new project includes:
- Retrieval and deployment of oceanographic buoys in Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Madagascar
- Regular maintenance, calibration, and data verification by BCSS researchers
- Long-term integration into BCSS’s Ocean Observatory database
This partnership in the truest sense isn’t about handing over hardware — it’s about building local expertise and research leadership in Africa. These buoys will be deployed not only near coral reef systems in the Bazaruto Archipelago but also in offshore pelagic zones where current and biomass tracking are crucial to understanding migratory species.
A BCSS team member inspecting a SATLINK buoy deployed in the water.
Inside the Buoys: What the Tech Actually Does
So, what makes SATLINK’s buoys special?
Each buoy is equipped with sensors and satellite transponders that gather real-time ocean data on:
- Drift patterns and ocean currents
- Biomass via acoustic echo sounding
- Surface temperature and salinity
- Barometric pressure and wind speeds
The data is transmitted hourly and visualized via dashboards hosted by BCSS, allowing researchers — and eventually public users — to track changing oceanographic patterns in real time.
This technology complements BCSS’s existing work on time-series ocean monitoring — forming one of the most comprehensive marine datasets in the Western Indian Ocean.
It’s a leap forward in marine monitoring technology — and it’s being built into an open-data platform.
SATLINK buoy deployed in the water.
BCSS Ocean Observatory and Research Station.
Open Data, Open Ocean: Transparency as a Principle
Beyond the tech itself, the ethos of this collaboration is what sets it apart. SATLINK and BCSS have both committed to building a shared database for drift and buoy data in the Mozambique Channel, following FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles.
This will benefit:
- National governments in coastal Africa
- Marine science departments and graduate students
- NGOs engaged in coastal resilience and fisheries management
- Conservation finance groups modelling blue carbon and habitat loss
We are not just measuring the ocean – we’re opening up the conversation about who gets to use this information — and why that matters.
This transparency model underscores why the SATLINK BCSS partnership is being looked at as a prototype for other regions facing similar challenges.
Global Sustainability Meets Local Action
While this project is focused on ocean conservation in East Africa, its roots — and implications — are global.
SATLINK’s Project ReCon is a flagship sustainability initiative aimed at reconditioning and reusing fishing buoys for non-extractive science. In the Caribbean, for example, SATLINK is working with researchers to track reef health using repurposed satellite buoys — the same model being implemented by BCSS in Mozambique.
The re-use model is a circular innovation in sustainable fishing technology — extending the lifecycle of existing ocean hardware for conservation purposes instead of industrial extraction.
In the Field: What We’re Seeing So Far
Visual outputs will be made available via the BCSS Ocean Observatory, providing powerful teaching tools for university students, visiting researchers, and policymakers alike.
This real-world application of oceanographic buoys in Mozambique shows how high-tech tools are generating on-the-ground insights — and not just abstract numbers.
A Triangular Collaboration: SATLINK x BCSS x Kisawa
Integral to the success of this effort is the close relationship between BCSS and Kisawa Sanctuary — a hospitality and conservation partner co-operating the Ocean Observatory, exemplifying R2R (Resort to Research) concept.
Kisawa enables BCSS to host researchers, visiting fellows, and student training sessions, providing logistical support, communications infrastructure, and operational safety for field deployments. This ensures that marine monitoring technology is not only available — but usable by those in the region who need it most.
As more global institutions turn their attention to the Indian Ocean, this triad of SATLINK, BCSS, and Kisawa presents a working model for public-private-science collaboration.
SATLINK buoys at BSCC Research Station.
Join the Movement Toward Transparent, Tech-Driven Ocean Conservation
Whether you’re a scientist, policymaker, or simply someone who cares about the future of our oceans, this collaboration invites participation.
Together, through marine monitoring technology, open data, and shared responsibility, we can create lasting impact.
Learn More About SATLINK
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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/
