Ilha do Fogo, a 42-hectare island off the coast of Mozambique, has fully transitioned to 100% renewable energy. 

The island is a safe haven for one of the world’s most vulnerable marine species… sea turtles. In order to protect Ilha do Fogo’s habitat, for all wildlife, the island’s directors vowed to keep the island as low-impact on the environment as possible. 

Many islands are powered almost entirely by fossil fuels, however, the environmental impact of producing this type of energy went against everything the Fire Island Conservation team is working towards. 

The NPO’s chief of operations, Jan van Deventer, states “Running Ilha do Fogo purely on solar energy just makes sense. We had already developed a number of solar stills to harvest fresh water on the island, so the transition to run all our energy needs on solar power was the logical next step.”

The 120KW solar plant was installed on Ilha do Fogo in November 2022. Although the island has accommodation for guests in the manner of ‘floating’ ensuite tents, it has only recently opened up to eco-tourism. With the solar system currently operating at a fairly low usage level, it is generating an average of 6000 kWh per month. This translates to a reduction of around 70,000 kg of CO2 annually. However, it can easily generate 13,000 kWh per month to accommodate our guests on the island, which equates to an annual reduction of 156,000 kg of CO2.

The project’s conservation manager, Esther Jacobs, states “The island is truly a biodiversity hotspot and we aim to do everything in our power to protect its marine and terrestrial populations. Running on diesel-power energy goes against our ethics. Not only would this type of energy create a huge carbon footprint just in transporting fuel to the island, but would also emit pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can be harmful to the wildlife.”

Even the accommodation was carefully considered to minimise any environmental impact.  “There are 10 tented suites sitting atop platforms that were built to ensure the existing ecosystems and vegetation stayed intact,” says Jan. “With each tent sleeping two people, we could feasibly have 20 guests staying at any given time. However, we want to keep guest capacity to a maximum of 12, ensuring our impact remains at a minimum.”

Ilha do Fogo accommodation is part of Unfound Africa’s portfolio of unparalleled destinations and undiscovered locations. Each offering in the collection has been selected for uniqueness, inspiring guests to protect their biodiversity and culture. A percentage of the proceeds from all Unfound Africa bookings are donated to Fire Island Conservation projects. 

You can read more about Fire Island Conservation on their website: www.fireislandconservation.com 

Once ravaged by poachers, Ilha do Fogo is now the centre of conservation on the north-east coast of Mozambique. Soon, it will be opened up as an exclusive, luxury retreat, focused on scuba diving and eco-tourism. 

Since the discovery of poaching activity upon the new owner’s first visit to the island, Fire Island Conservation has set up a small anti-poaching unit, and this human presence has prevented further plundering. Now, the team is busy developing the island for exclusive eco-tourism, to subsidise the conservation and anti-poaching projects. By July 2022, the scuba diving resort will be receiving tourists.

Forming part of the Primeiras e Segundas Environmental Protection Area, it is essential that the environmental integrity of the island’s habitat remains intact. The team has enlisted the help of BOXA, a construction tech company, that has designed the buildings on the island to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The BOXA units are constructed to ‘float’ above the ground, leaving existing ecosystems and vegetation intact. 

With conservation at the forefront of the development, each unit will have solar panels on the roofs and all amenities on the island will be entirely powered by solar energy. Currently, there is no fresh water on the island, but a rainwater harvesting system will be constructed, using sundomes and a small desalination plant.

Fire Island Conservation has been in talks with some renowned biologists about launching a marine research facility on the island, with the purpose of collecting data on the marine life to feed into international projects. The critically endangered hawksbill turtle and endangered green turtle were once victims on the island, and will instead be protected by the conservation and research projects.

Scuba divers can expect a unique opportunity to explore the incredible fauna and flora around the island’s 150km of flawless reef, boasting over 450 corals, turtles and countless other marine life. Ilha do Fogo is also situated on the historical passage of De Gama’s trade route, with exciting shipwrecks having been discovered nearby, that are perfect for wreck dives. 

“Tourists will have the opportunity to help us to identify the fauna around the island’s unexplored reef. It is a highly unique, exclusive, bucket-list dive trip, for any marine life enthusiast. Of course, our sustainability ethos is carved into everything we do, and our goal is to connect our guests to nature, while protecting our environment.”

Jan van Deventer, COO, Fire Island Conservation

Fire Island Conservation was born when Robert Koski purchased Ilha do Fogo almost a decade ago. Bob and Jan van Deventer discovered that it was ravaged by poachers during their first visit to the island, and sadly, hawksbill and green turtles were the main victims of the poaching. Bob’s dream of a resort-style development on the island was put on hold for almost a decade, while a marine conservation action plan was put in place to protect these imperilled species. 

Ilha do Fogo is an essential turtle nesting site, and a turtle monitoring program was created to help ensure their nesting process is unimpeded. This is one of many projects established to empower local communities, providing an alternative income opportunity to poaching. These community and conservation projects are supported by our eco-tourism efforts, which include eco-luxury lodges across Africa. The retreat currently being developed on Ilha do Fogo has been carefully considered and planned in such a way that it will not impact the environment in any way, and will incorporate the conservation efforts.

No, this isn’t an article about a 100th dive. The NUDI, in this case, stands for Natural Underwater Discovery Internship. This is an exciting new collaboration between three exceptional companies: Go Dive Mossel Bay, Keep Fin Alive and Marine Action Research.

So what do you get, when you bring scuba diving, conservation and research together?

An amazing opportunity to master diving skills, while protecting and benefiting our vulnerable oceans, and furthering valuable marine research. All alongside award winning NAUI Instructors and passionate marine biologists and conservationists, who are dedicated to preserving the oceans.

Whether dipping their toes in for the first time with scuba diving, or being an accomplished diver, there is an opportunity to learn new underwater skills and add to a diving resume.

Does conservation get you going?

The possibility of being empowered to preserve and conserve our coastline, with newly learned knowledge, skills and resources to keep our ocean healthy and marine life safe, should have you quaking. The partnership with Keep Fin Alive, enables interns to add into existing and ongoing projects, such as the Clean Ocean Divers workshop and NAUI qualification, the Strandloper Project reef cleans, and the community outreach initiatives with an entertaining puppet show. They’ll also get the chance to share their passion for the oceans with locals, and insist on plastic free oceans among local businesses, by encouraging Clean Ocean Companies.

Maybe research is more up your alley?

Imagine spending your days searching for nudies. No, not trawling the internet, looking at dodgy websites, but scrutinising our beautiful reefs, looking for nudibranchs. These gastropods, are one of the most diverse marine invertebrates in the world. Although more than 5,000 specimens currently exist, so many more have yet to be discovered. With Marine Action Research leading this exciting project, there is hope of a few more undescribed nudibranchs being found among our reefs, and added into the international database.

The research opportunities don’t just end with nudies. There are also many other invertebrate and reef species to be surveyed, as well as fish, sharks and cephalopods, to name but a few. Interns learn to brush up on their buoyancy skills, to capture tricky macro shots of the organisms. BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) will also be utilised, capturing the latest techniques in biodiversity and abundance analysis.

On top of all the exhilarating projects the interns get involved in, they’ll also be honing their dive skills through both practical dives, including the research and conservation diving, and theory sessions. Divers can become Dive Master qualified in just weeks, filled with life-changing scuba experiences.

What do the interns think?

Our Go Dive NUDI volunteer, Nick, has experienced all our internship has to offer. It’s left him chomping at the bit to use his newly acquired Dive Master certification, that he achieved in two months with the help of our team, to build advocacy for our oceans, through guided experiences in our wondrous underwater world. He’ll always strive to educate the divers on the importance of conserving our oceans.

“As an intern at Go Dive Mossel Bay, I was exposed to opportunities far beyond my expectations.

With Dive Master training being the main focus, the regular baited, boat and night dives gave me more than enough time and experience exploring Mossel Bay’s unique underwater landscape. The instructors made my learning enjoyable, giving me any help I needed along the way, and ensuring that I was ready to be the best Dive Master possible.

I was lucky enough to be given a number of opportunities to assist with community, recreational and environmental activities. The highlight of this, being the close partnership with Keep Fin Alive and their Clean Oceans initiatives.

A plethora of tools and knowledge became available for me, which empowered me to make an active change and difference through education and community involvement.

I have been inspired and empowered to take the Clean Oceans initiative to my home in Australia, where the fight for marine conservation can become international.

SAPREC was one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of the internship. Weekly visits to the centre equipped me with skills to take care of injured seabirds, as well as raise awareness for their conservation.

The team were organised, friendly and professional, and they were constantly arranging activities and ensuring they did their very best to create a family atmosphere with Go Dive.”

So what’s stopping you?

If you’re not already scuba qualified, we’re here to build you up all the way from beginner. Even if you’ve already experienced the sensational world of scuba, and are an open water or advanced diver, of any kind, we want to help you get the most out of your diving career, developing you into a safe, confident leader and Dive Master.

Our ultimate Go Dive NUDI goal, is to give you a life-changing experience, empowering you with many diving, conservation and research skills, that will open up doors in the underwater world for you.

So really, what is stopping you?

Just remember…

“You cannot discover new oceans, unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

Andre Gide – author, humanist, moralist and Nobel Prize winner.

Learn more at: www.facebook.com/GoDiveInternship and www.keepfinalive.com/contact

Every diver understands the draw of the ocean, and most crave the next dive just moments after exiting the water. It’s a beautiful wonderland, with incredible fauna and flora inhabitants.

However, the oceans are in peril and there’s one offender at the forefront of these issues… plastic.

Recent studies, carried out by University of Exeter, have confirmed that microplastics were found in the digestive systems of every every single turtle, whale, dolphin and seal they tested. 

Much of the plastic was believed to be pieces of fishing gear, fibres from clothing, broken down cigarette filters, and others.

It’s heartbreaking to think that we can’t keep some of our favourite dive companion creatures safe from plastic harm.

Considering that research shows metabolic changes in marine species consuming plastic, including disturbed fat metabolism, increased ethanol concentration in the liver, and increased levels of inosine/adenosine and lysine in muscles (none of which is very pleasant), do we really want to stand back and let this very troubling issue of plastic pollution in the oceans continue?

We, as divers and consumers, can’t just expect governments to take the responsibility for banning single-use plastics, as great as it would be if it happened.

Something every one of us needs to take charge of in our lives, is reducing our plastic footprint and to stop adding to the average of eight million metric tonnes of plastic that enters our oceans annually.

So how does this fit in with scuba diving?

Go Dive Mossel Bay have teamed up with the ocean conservation campaign, Keep Fin Alive, to create a new NAUI dive qualification called Clean Ocean Divers.

This qualification gives divers, from Open Water level, the knowledge and skills to carry out ‘deep cleans’… dive clean ups. They’ll carry out a deep clean as part of the course and help to keep our ocean healthy and marine life safe, by leaving it in a better state than when they arrived at the dive site.

It will also empower divers to take action, not just locally, but at any dive site they visit.

As divers, we have a responsibility to take care of the very thing that we desire. Everyone needs to learn to be an ocean hero, and protect the thing we love.

What else can you do?

At home

• Instead of relying on cling-film, use containers or wax wraps to store food in the fridge or freezer.
• Don’t cover a plate of leftover food with cling-film… use another plate (or wax wraps!).
• Use jars to store bulk foods in cupboards.
• Purchase a laundry ball that catches plastic fibres while washing clothing.
• Recycle.

While out-and-about

• Spend a few minutes picking up plastic you find whenever you visit the coastline.
• Always carry reusable shopping bags.
• Always carry reusable produce bags (for fruit and veg).
• Never, ever use single-use straws, cutlery, plates etc.
• Take jars with you and look for stores with bulk bins (for rice, nuts, spices etc).
• Take your own containers for salads, bakery items, deli items, meats from the butcher counter, etc.
• Take your own containers for takeaway foods.
• Always choose the biggest / bulk options and then split into containers at home for storage (perfect for rice, pasta, chips, cookies etc).
• Look for ethical branded clothing that won’t add to the billions of plastic clothing fibres already in the oceans, via the grey water from your washing machine.
• Buy second hand.
• Mend broken items and clothing instead of replacing them.
• Smokers: always dispose of your cigarette butt in an appropriate receptacle.
• Never litter.
• Always recycle.
• Ask restaurants, coffee shops, bars and retailers to stop offering single-use plastic like straws (you can let them know that they are welcome to download Keep Fin Alive’s free ‘The Last Straw’ poster: www.keepfinalive.com/downloads).

At work

• Insist on removing any single-use cups from water fountains to encourage employees to bring their own receptacle.
• Demand the removal or replacement of plastic straws, cutlery etc.
• Speak to supply chains to reduce plastic packaging in deliveries.
• Implement recycling faciclities.

Head to www.godive.co.zafor more information about the course.

Are you a NAUI dive school keen to offer up the Clean Ocean Divers course? Get in touch.

Lauren Peel has a BSc (Hons.) in Zoology from University of Western Australia. She is currently a PhD candidate in marine biology at University of Western Australia and project leader for The Manta Trust and Save Our Seas Foundation’s Seychelles Manta Ray Project.

Dr Nathan Hart is an expert in comparative neurobiology and specialises in animal sensory systems. He completed his PhD on colour vision in birds at the University of Bristol, UK, before moving Australia in 1999. He’s since worked on the visual systems of various animals, and more recently has been working with sharks. We interviewed him about his very interesting career history.

Charles Klingler, from Maryland, US, works as a fisheries observer in various locations around the USA. He’s spent four months interning with us at Oceans Research in South Africa, so we took the opportunity to interview him about fisheries observation and management. Charles also delivered a presentation on fisheries management at a public ocean conservation evening while he was in South Africa.

We interviewed our director of research, Dr Enrico Gennari, to discuss white sharks, shark conservation and shark research.

Fiona Ayerst is a specialist stills underwater photographer. She’s also a writer, public speaker, tour guide and a passionate conservationist who speaks up for animal rights.

Paul von Blerk specializes in electronic shark repellents with the Kwazulu-Natal Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence. He’s worked with the Shark’s Board for 34 years, and for the last couple of decades, he’s dedicated his life to creating and testing an alternative, eco-friendly system that keeps both bathers and sharks safe. Throughout April, Oceans Research assisted Paul in testing an electronic device on our Mossel Bay white sharks, with incredible results.

Dr Ryan Kempster is a shark biologist and founder of the non-profit organisation Support Our Sharks (SOS). He obtained his B.Sc. (2005) and M.Sc. (2007) in marine biology in the UK, and went on to complete a Ph.D. at the University of Western Australia (UWA) in the sensory biology of sharks. Dr Kempster recently spent a month with Oceans Research working on his shark deterrent project.

Recent advances in electronic shark repellents and their potential to control shark-human interactions non-lethally are discussed in this interview with Paul von Blerk, a Project Specialist at Kwazulu-Natal Sharks Board in South Africa.