2 Week Research Program

We are currently offering positions for a select number of participants in 2023 on the following program dates:

26th March – 9th April (Ending 16th April inc. Safari)
9th April – 23rd April (Ending 30th April inc. Safari)

In 2023 we’re only running the 2 week program March – April. If you would like to join us at a different time of year, please check out our 4 week Marine Expedition, or our 3 week Conservation Adventure Program.

Program Fee: £995

Program Plus Safari Fee: £1995

PREREQUISITES

Applicants must be +18 on the time of arrival. We’re busy developing an under 18s program at the moment. Watch this space!

It’s important to know where your money is going. For a full price breakdown please click here.

As a Love The Oceans field assistant, you form an essential part of our team. You will support 6 principal activities:

Fisheries research
Sea turtle nesting patrols
Coral reef surveys
Teaching and painting at the local schools
Teaching swimming lessons to the local children

We highly recommend joining us for a week safari since it is not too far away from Jangamo and is another incredible experience.

Our field assistants have Saturday mornings and Sundays to participate in optional extra activities such as surf lessons, sailing trips or just relaxing on the beach. Saturday afternoons will be spent teaching the local school children how to swim.

After you have settled in, your program will start with an intense 3 days of training. We aim to ensure that everyone on the program has the same level of knowledge about LTO, the conservation work we do and your role and responsibilities as an LTO field assistant.

In these 3 days you’ll learn about your next two weeks in Mozambique. It is during the training that we will get to know each other better, refresh diving skills and learn new skills as you come up to speed with the research requirements. We expect you to learn and work together, setting a positive tone for the coming weeks. Towards the end of the training you will be placed into a team and will rotate around the following key activities:

FISHERIES

Supporting fisheries research will allow us to assess how sustainable the fisheries are. From these assessments, eventually we would like to determine minimum landing size for individual species, as well as changing certain fishing legislation.

Every day on fisheries you will be responsible for helping record the data into the logs along with the corresponding images (check shark and ray IDs with a field specialist if unsure), cleaning the collected shark/ray vertebrae, and ensuring equipment is cleaned and stored.

TURTLE NESTING PATROLS

Mozambique is home to 5 of the 7 species of sea turtles, and all of them are globally threatened. We have 2 species that nest on our beaches: loggerhead and leatherback. We’ve noticed some of the nests have been raided so we’ve started doing beach patrols as many nights as possible throughout the program to ensure mothers are safe when laying, and as many babies make it to the ocean as possible when they hatch. If you’re lucky you’ll get to witness a hatching event, its an incredible experience!

Please note, turtle nesting season in Mozambique is November – March, so if you come on a 2 week program outside of these dates, we will not be doing this activity.

TEACHING AND PAINTING

Educating the next generation of fishermen in schools about sustainable fishing and why the ocean is important helps the local community protect their biodiversity assets – assets because of ecotourism and fisheries.

As part of your time with us, you will help at Guinjata and Paindane School Monday-Friday. You will be teaching 10-13 year olds about the marine environment, as well as painting classrooms which are in much need of some TLC. You will not be partaking in construction work as we prefer to employ local builders and put money back into the local economy.

SWIMMING LESSONS

Surprisingly few local children are confident in the water. Part of our commitment to the local community is teaching the school children how to swim, helping to fuel their passion for the marine environment with a view to them one day being able to experience the underwater world for themselves.

We also teach sea safety in our lessons. This is very important as children drowning is not uncommon in this area due to a strong rip and lack of awareness. You can help teach the children (and some adults) how to swim on Saturday afternoons.

CORAL REEF SURVEYS

LTO supports coral reef data collection in order to lobby for a marine protected area which could enhance eco-tourism, bringing more money into the region and an alternate source of income to unsustainable fishing. We strongly believe we’re in a biodiversity hotspot and the coral reef data is needed to prove our area is worth protecting.

You will be diving and snorkelling to aid LTO surveys. You will identify different fish and coral species you see on each dive, and help log them at the end of each day.

SAFARI (OPTIONAL)

After 2 weeks in Guinjata Bay, you have the option to go on safari in South Africa and explore the stunning Balule Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger Ecosystem with our amazing ethical partners Campfire Academy. We LOVE it here. All accommodation, meals (B/L/D) and overland transport to the safari lodge and onto Johannesburg airport is included, but the drinks are on you!

This is one of the best spots for spotting the Big 5 our team have ever come across, with one of the most ethical operators in Southern Africa. You will be taken on game drives, bush walks, and participate in ecology, conservation management and sustainable tourism lectures and walks – all with a very experienced field guide. You’ll learn how to track animals and pick up trails. You’ll have a sleep-out under the stars in the bush. You’ll learn what it’s like to be a ranger from experienced professionals. You’ll also be helping out with the Hoedspruit Animal Outreach project.

There will be a scenic tour through the Drakensburg Mountains, by car or boat, to see the iconic God’s Window, the Three Sisters and the spectacular Bourke’s Luck Potholes. When it’s time to say good-bye, you will be transported to Johannesburg Airport to arrive Sunday evening.

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

There are optional weekend excursions you can participate in. They are not compulsory but have proved great fun in the past. These activities need to be paid for separately in cash in Mozambique.

Boat Trip – We sail the Inhambane estuary on a boat, with the chance to snorkel a few islands.
Surf Trip – A day trip to Tofo (the tourist hub) for a fun surf lesson and shop around their market.
Diving Courses – PADI scuba diving courses are available at Jay’s Pro Dive Centre from open water to rescue. If you’d like to do your Dive Master click here.
Ocean Safaris – Local dive centres offer various Ocean Safari tours where you can search for whale sharks and whales from the boat in an afternoon.

We stay on the stunning beach of Jangamo Bay on the side of the Indian Ocean. Our accommodation is rustic and rooms will hold a maximum of 4 people (genders will be separated). Running water, hot water and electricity is available at all times… with the exception of a few power cuts! Mosquito nets are provided.

Your program is fully catered, however you may want to bring money for internet, drinks and treats. Bring an network unlocked mobile phone with you in order to buy a local sim for internet as there is no wifi available. The local shop is a short walk away and holds a few western treasures.

For more information, enquire below, email info@lovetheoceans.org or check out our FAQs page.

After I’ve been on a program, what other opportunities are there for me with Love The Oceans?

After you join us on one of our programs, there are plenty of on-going opportunities to stay involved in the organisation and utilise our connections to get a leg up in your career.

You’ll have the opportunity to apply for our Internship scheme which involves coming out to Mozambique with your in-country expenses covered. Our internship is only open to past volunteers and you can do this while still at university or when you’ve graduated. It is highly competitive.

Once you have graduated you can apply for a seasonal staff role with us. We look kindly on applications from past program participants because we have got to know you as a field assistant in Mozambique and you’ll know how things run. You will start off in a seasonal role and this could move into something more long-term in Mozambique or the UK.

You’ll also be part of our alumni network. That means you’ll have access to our connections, events, and other internships and jobs we know other NGOs are offering. You’ll be able to utilise our extensive network within the industry. If you’ve volunteered with us in the past and we think you’d fit a role, we’ll happily put you forward.

During your time on program you will also receive a performance review. This will form the basis for your job reference, which we will be happy to provide a future employer with on request, if you wish.