MAR Expeditions Update: Deploying Base Stations and Exciting Animal Sightings in Zavora, Mozambique

MAR Expeditions, led by Nakia and her team, have had a productive and exciting week in Zavora, Mozambique. Their main objective was to deploy receivers on eight different reefs, which are essentially listening stations for any tag transmissions from tagged animals along the coastline, even into South Africa. Despite the heavy contraptions and challenging diving conditions, the team was able to deploy four of the eight receivers and secure them in the right spots on the reef to prevent them from being moved by currents and surges.

In addition to the successful deployment of the base stations, Nakia and her team had the opportunity to observe a variety of interesting animals, including a leopard shark, a small eye, a Manta ray, a Bull Shark, and an Eagle Ray. They even managed to take a good tissue sample of a leopard shark and a small eye. Although this added to their workload, it was a productive, rewarding experience and critical to Nakia's data.

Nakia and her team are now on the move to their next destination in Sodwana, South Africa. The information gathered from the deployed base stations and tissue samples will go towards Nakia's PhD and to help understand the movements of these amazing marine creatures, and ultimately contribute to their conservation.

If you would like to get involved with Nakia and her team and help with critical marine research on the coast of Mozambique check out the MAR Expeditions Internship. MAR Expeditions Internship Get in touch to get stuck in on the adventure of a lifetime.