Page 130 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 130
130
iStudy
2019/20
How and why is Underwater Africa
assisting you with your research?
CM:
Underwater Africa have provided a boat for me
to conduct my research on and the invaluable help
of their volunteers with deploying tags, maintaining
receivers, and analysing collected information.
What changes do you hope your
findings will make to Mozambique’s
future marine conservation efforts?
CM:
By providing details on the seasonality of shark
sightings and their hotspots on the coastline, I would
hope to influence policy makers to increase the
protection of these animals at these locations during
these times. I am also working in a national park and
aim to assess how sharks move in and out of the park
so I can then work with the parks managers to increase
their effectiveness at protecting its shark population.
What effect do you predict those
changes will have to Mozambique’s
seas and its people?
CM:
With any luck this research, when coupled with
education of the local people, will alter the perception
of sharks in the coastal communities. Currently, there
is a widespread fear of sharks which results in many
being fished out. By providing general information
on when and where the sharks visit, hopefully we can
allay this prevalent fear and keep more sharks alive.
Graeme, why is it so important for
companies like yours to conserve
the underwater environment?
Graeme (GW):
Underwater Africa plays a crucial role
in the sustainability of ocean science and data collection
in the greater Inhambane region of Mozambique. It is
from here that our scientific team analyse and study
bull sharks, whale sharks, giant manta rays, plankton,
humpback whales, mangroves (blue forests) and an
array of smaller, but just as important, reef fish.
With these studies, we are able to educate the
government and local communities in the sustainable
practices of fishing and ocean protection, and by
starting with the younger generation, we will have
a far larger impact on the marine ecosystem in the
coming years. Underwater Africa scientists also give
informative talks to tourists and business owners
who are interested in marine conservation and want
to know more about how they can help protect the
marine life that surrounds them.
iStudy
2019/20
How and why is Underwater Africa
assisting you with your research?
CM:
Underwater Africa have provided a boat for me
to conduct my research on and the invaluable help
of their volunteers with deploying tags, maintaining
receivers, and analysing collected information.
What changes do you hope your
findings will make to Mozambique’s
future marine conservation efforts?
CM:
By providing details on the seasonality of shark
sightings and their hotspots on the coastline, I would
hope to influence policy makers to increase the
protection of these animals at these locations during
these times. I am also working in a national park and
aim to assess how sharks move in and out of the park
so I can then work with the parks managers to increase
their effectiveness at protecting its shark population.
What effect do you predict those
changes will have to Mozambique’s
seas and its people?
CM:
With any luck this research, when coupled with
education of the local people, will alter the perception
of sharks in the coastal communities. Currently, there
is a widespread fear of sharks which results in many
being fished out. By providing general information
on when and where the sharks visit, hopefully we can
allay this prevalent fear and keep more sharks alive.
Graeme, why is it so important for
companies like yours to conserve
the underwater environment?
Graeme (GW):
Underwater Africa plays a crucial role
in the sustainability of ocean science and data collection
in the greater Inhambane region of Mozambique. It is
from here that our scientific team analyse and study
bull sharks, whale sharks, giant manta rays, plankton,
humpback whales, mangroves (blue forests) and an
array of smaller, but just as important, reef fish.
With these studies, we are able to educate the
government and local communities in the sustainable
practices of fishing and ocean protection, and by
starting with the younger generation, we will have
a far larger impact on the marine ecosystem in the
coming years. Underwater Africa scientists also give
informative talks to tourists and business owners
who are interested in marine conservation and want
to know more about how they can help protect the
marine life that surrounds them.
