Category: Mozambique

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Announcing the BCSS (Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies)

BCSS-Website

Announcing the BCSS (Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies)

Announcing the Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies: The Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies was opened by Governor Dani Chapo of Inhambane Province in Mozambique, in December 2017.

Enjoy the following video clip…shot on site, in the Bazaruto Archipelago. By Dr. Mario Lebrato and his team.

The multi-faceted installation is a facility designed to facilitate all kinds of scientific studies and projects, including, but not limited to;

  • underwater observatory
  • sonic tagging of sharks
  • coral, water and plankton sampling and analysis
  • recycling of beach plastic
  • social improvement programs including swimming and ocean survival
  • gps mapping of sea life
  • PADI diving

Paying volunteers are invited to join in with these projects and the many more coming up. There are daily and weekly packages available on the newly launched BCSS website.

Check it all out here…http://bcssmz.org

Prices are very reasonable from 75$/person/day including all (excluding some leisure items), and
include first-class cooking and catering by local Chef Fernando. Three meals a day are served.
Warm and cold drinks too. Don’t think it twice, this is a life-time experience.

Accommodation is in the real deal safari tents, or in single and double sharing rooms. The facility is built right on a beautiful beach and bay, on the north side of Benguerra Island. Views are over the channel to Bazaruto Island. A thousand shades of blue.

Volunteer activities will take up half your day, the other half you can swim, snorkel, hike, game view, fish…anything you please. There is a surcharge for activities involving boats or vehicles.

If you wanted to get on over to the very edge of the world, this is one very cool way of doing it. The prices are a fraction of what it would cost to stay on the highly exclusive Benguerra Island. And you get to do something and learn some cool things about how we can all help conserve the environment that we live in.

Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies

Activities appeal to all ages really, but it’s the get-up and go type of volunteer we are looking for!

Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies Website

The BCSS website has recently been launched. Take a look at the following link:

BCSS-Website
BCSS-Website

Use the website to get in touch. Volunteer programmes and activities can be viewed on the website.

You can also follow the BCSS on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bcssmz/

Post by The Sardine News

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BCSS Underwater Observatory Project: predator kill behavior

BCSS, WildBlue Expeditions, and MYDO fishing are collaborating on fish attack behaviour studies.

BCSS Underwater Observatory Project: predator kill behavior

BCSS Underwater Obervatory Project: The first ‘croc couta comes in for a real close look but turns away right the last second. There are two of the +-20kg class fish circling the live bait with piqued interest. In a flash the hapless bonito has its tail sliced off. Blood streams out. Another fish circles and bang! The couta comes from in from below and chomps into the bait. Vas! But somehow he misses the hooks and another guy comes in and finishes off.

This action is all part of the Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies’ (BCSS) Dr. Mario Lebrato’s long-term ocean observatory project. One of only a handful worldwide, Dr. Lebrato is set to deploy a multifaceted underwater monitoring system. Cameras, sensors and a myriad of other sampling equipment will be installed all over the Bazaruto Archipelago. For long-term data recording and analysis.

Luckily, part of these underwater observations includes predator fish kill behavior. Trolling tow cams on marlin dredges and teasers, and right in front of live baits, is opening a huge new three dimensional perspective of a mostly viewed in 2D wake and prop wash. What goes on down there is gob-smacking. So many fish come in interested, but then shy away at the last minute, and move on. In fact, the plentiful and ever-present Zambezi shark is far more careful than the aggressive king mackerel. Tuna seem to be the most suspicious so far. Cobia are also wily characters. Talang queenfish get super excited about a live bait, but will not touch it! Then it grabs a lure! Amazing revelations about fish learning and behaviour.

Wait ’til you see the Zambies following the boat!!!

The hours and hours of material recorded will go back to Europe for careful analysis and processing into data.

Watch this space!

For more action from deep down off Bazaruto and surrounding waters, by BCSS, WildBlue Expeditions and MYDO Fishing, stay tuned!

Catch us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/thesardine.co.za/

 

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1000lb Blue Marlin off Inhaca Island

Inhaca Island-1000lb-Blue-M

1000lb Blue Marlin off Inhaca Island

1000lb Blue Marlin off Inhaca Island: Mozambiques first reported Blue Marlin weighing over a thousand pounds was taken recently. Captain Duarte Rato of FishBazaruto has been offering marlin fishing experiences, down off Inhaca Island, for the month of March of each year. This is the time the big blues make an appearance in good numbers in these wild waters.

Carl Jankowitz, who got a grander black last year too, off Bazaruto, was in the hotseat. But his years of experience in the chair and fishing with Duarte paid off, and his second grander came to the boat. Unfortunately, after 2 hours, the fish was tail wrapped, couldn’t move, and died on the disappointed crew. Who tag and release all billfish normally.

Also featuring in the video, is the hectic launch at Santa Maria. Between Inhaca Island and Santa Maria, it gets wild. Known as Hell’s Gate, this place is really mean in any swell, and is to be feared by most! But the excellent boat handling by the Captain of the good ship FourPlay, hops the crew through safely and out into the ocean.

Duarte tags and releases hundreds of billfish. He works with international partners who collate the data and formulate billfish management strategies worldwide. His tagging and DNA sampling that he does, is invaluable to these decision and policy makers.

April sees Duarte and the FishBazaruto crew back on Bazaruto Island, where he has an appointment or two with the seasonal striped marlin and sailfish, that will be runninng through those crazy waters any time now. Black marlin are still encountered in April, but mainly they are quite small. In fact, very small. Saltwater fly fishers absolute dream, as these baby blacks take to the skies with far more energy and speed than their parents. They are aggressive and take anything you throw at them. Such performances!

So whatever is on your menu? Billfish of all species and sizes. Seasonal appearances mean you can literally target the bill you are after, be it a sail, a stripe, a black or a blue. And in between an endless ruccous of ratchets screaming as the myriad of gamefish try compete with the bills for attention.

If this is your game, get in touch with Duarte via http://fishbazaruto.com, where you can see the many options available, as we tailor make your ultimate fishing experience.

More on FishBazaruto.com here.

More fishing experiences and options here.

 

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Looking for a Holiday Home in Tofo?

Casa Frenzy - your Holiday Home in Tofo

Looking for a Holiday Home in Tofo?

Are you looking for a Holiday Home in Tofo? Check out Casa Frenzy…

Another comfy seating area that doubles as a sleeper, with mozzie net. Casa FranzyAnother colourful sunset saturates the scene on the way to Casa FrenzyCasa Frenzy is a fantastic house to host parties in. Your favourite Holiday Home in TofoShot by The Frenzy herself, from the backline way out off the frontCasa Frenzy - your Holiday Home in Tofo

Casa Frenzy is a super cool and big enough house for diving and surfing families – who want to take a relaxing break in a Holiday Home in Tofo

Ideally situated on the shoreline only a few clicks north of the marvelous Praia do Tofo beach and partying town. Casa Frenzy is set snugly into the indigenous vegetation directly behind the primary beach dune. It’s a 100 meter walk and you are in the warm clear Indian Ocean. Swimming or snorkeling your time away.

Then you might be prepared to hit the deep blue, and jump with the whale sharks, mantas, and dolphins that Tofo has become internationally known for. The reefs and ocean life in Tofo are rich and fascinating. There are heaps of reefs and dive spots between far Barra in the north, and Manta Reef, in the south. In between these two extremes, must be 20 named scuba spots.

Enjoy this cool video by ArtSurfer, shot by Renske Massing, with underwater companion Zito, a little while ago – in December 2017.

More about the enthralling town of Tofo…

  • Loads of dive centres to choose from
  • snorkelling or scuba
  • surf lessons for beginners and advanced
  • Island trips and dhow travels
  • Beachcombing
  • sport angling
  • vehicle and boat rental
  • Inhambane City visits
  • nightlife
  • local and international cuisine
  • fresh seafood daily
  • fresh foods grown right in Tofo
  • Coconuts and cashews
  • Tipo Tinto Rum and 2M cerveja

There are really so many things for everybody to do in and around the Praia do Tofo area. The Inhambane Bay allures with it’s enchanted islands and purple blue channels. Complete peace and quiet and accessible to everybody in the family or tour group. The swimming and snorkeling at Barra is terrific and you may even become a close acquaintance with a little seahorse or two.

So click on over to our newly updated Casa Frenzy page and connect through the easy as form…

http://artsurfer.nl

Or catch us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/renske.massing/

Post prepared by The Sardine News.

“Holiday Home in Tofo”

https://thesardine.co.za/2018/03/24/looking-for-a-holiday-home-in-tofo/

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Açorda de Camarão at ZanziBeach in Tofo

Açorda de Camarão at ZanziBeach in Tofo

Tofo Beach, Inhambane, Southern Mozambique: Well it’s always great to be invited to ZanziBeach right on Tofo Beach. Especially on days when master creative in the kitchen and restaurant owner Rui, is working on a new dish.

Açorda de Camarão

Well prawns are prawns are prawns. Or are they?

Well the prawns that Rui and the team in the Zanzi kitchen produced this day were certainly different.

Tofo Zombies can often be spotted at ZanziBeachPraia do TofoZanziBeach is right on Tofo BeachCold, cold beer, remember that I'm right here...by The RoostaThe different angles of ZanziBeach

Without divulging the secret recipe to all…the healthy serving of prawns is served in a delicious stock infused prawn sauce. And comes with a raw egg right smack bang in the middle of it. Which cooks into the hot meal as it is stirred right in.

Rich and filling. Tasty and colourful.

Zanzi serves a handsome bowl for 400 Mets. Or does a three-person serving for 1000 Mets.

The beer is always cold down at Zanzi. And all the really good wines we get around here, are available. Some great Portuguese imported flavours. And the ever tasty South African styles. The smoothies and cocktail variations thereof will keep you refreshed and full of bounce.

The views of Tofo Beach right from your table are the best in town. And the Tofo Mercado is a short walk away. It’s a great spot to take your family, when on holiday, and treat them to some real Portuguese table fare.

Ala ZanziBeach in Tofo!

Catch up with ZanziBeach on Facebook at…https://www.facebook.com/zanzibeachtofo/

Catch The Sardine News Group at…

The Sardine News on Facebook
The Sardine News on Facebook

The Sardine on YouTube…https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvI-skjGYmrPsC6fbDjMCA

Accommodation offers in Tofo and surrounds…https://thesardine.co.za/travel-agent/