I am pleased to provide an update on my recent endeavors focused on assessing the ecological collapse of reef systems in Mozambique. My efforts have been aimed at studying the ecological health and biodiversity of coral reefs along the Mozambique coastline.
Collaborating has been at the heart of my work, and I’ve had the privilege of partnering with other scientists to advance my research goals. Through a series of preparatory meetings and outreach efforts, I’ve established valuable connections with stakeholders and local communities, laying a solid foundation for the project.
In order to conduct and collect data, I became a certified Reef Check Ecodiver, enhancing my capacity for research, monitoring and evaluation of marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs. I have included my master’s thesis project in the grant, which aims to understand the genetic makeup of coral reeds and its implications for conservation and management in Inhaca Island (South of Mozambique).
Over the 8 visits I have made to Inhaca Island, I’ve collected 325 samples of coral and extracted the DNA of all of them. These samples represent a crucial resource for research, offering insights into the genetic composition and diversity of coral population in the region.
The next step in my journey involves analyzing the coral samples to evaluate genetic diversity patterns within the Inhaca Island reefs. This analysis will be conducted in Italy at Sapienza University and will inform conservation efforts by understanding coral resilience to environmental and guiding conservation efforts.
I look forward to sharing my further findings with the scientific community and stakeholders as my time progresses. I attended the Our Ocean Conference in Athens (Greece) with support from Love the Oceans (LTO) and networked with other scientists, talking about the work of LTO including all the work of LTO which Conservation Nation supports.
I was pleased to also have presented at the Marine Biodiversity Conference in Nacala-Porto (North of Mozambique), sharing important updates on the work that I’ve been doing with my Conservation Nation grant.
Throughout my time as a grantee, I’ve delivered over 400 hours of Ocean School workshops, covering coral monitoring and sustainable fishing practices, enhancing ocean literacy in the local community particularly in Jangamo.
In conclusion, my efforts in Mozambique reflect a holist approach to coral reef conservation through research, capacity building and community engagement. I am excited to continue this journey and contribute to the preservation of these invaluable marine ecosystems. This work would not have been possible without the support of Conservation Nation, and I’m eternally grateful for this. This grant has made a huge impact in my life and my career progression with lasting impact that has influenced my future career path and made my academic goals a reality.
