Tag: BCSS

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Sonar tagging Zambezi Sharks with Calum Murie

Although Zambezi Sharks are on the top of our hit list, these blacktips are also featured.

Sonar tagging Zambezi Sharks: Calum Murie could have been anything. But he chose to spend his life chasing huge sharks around with sonar tag in hand, ready to abuse the first full grown Zambezi Shark he sees. In the name of science, research and conservation, Calum’s motivation for this career path runs deep and his commitment is exemplary.

  • Although Zambezi Sharks are on the top of our hit list, these blacktips are also featured.
    Although Zambezi Sharks are on the top of our hit list, these blacktips are also featured.
  • Jason Morkel gets right in on the action. Zambezi Sharks don't scare him!
    Jason Morkel gets right in on the action. Zambezi Sharks don’t scare him!

And so it was that Calum enlisted the crew and facilities at the BCSS (Bazaruto for Scientific Studies) this September, to get some more tags installed in some Zambezi Sharks and other suspects. The tags are monitored by sonar listening stations set out up and down the coast between Pemba and Cape Town. So if one of Calum’s tagged sharks goes on leave and heads off for a holiday, Calum is gonna know about it.

This behavioural study of horizontal movement is aimed at supplying decision makers with the correct information regards shark activity along our coastline. Sadly, there have been over ten shark attacks in the Inhambane Estuary just down the coast from the BCSS. It’s the poor crab ladies who are getting taken the most. They are sitting ducks working in a metre of cloudy water at best.

And so Calum is fiercely chasing Zambezi’s, the prime suspect as usual. Although bronze whalers are also on our shark tagging list for being a suspicious character. Calum is also after Tiger Sharks, but we have not been successful at this as of yet. Hopefully we can find a small one somewhere!

You can actually get involved in our shark tagging exploits if you like. The success of the project that Calum is running, has opened up more funding for his studies. More listening stations are being deployed in association with the BCSS and Dr. Mario Lebrato. And we now have another batch of tags to deploy. At over $1000 per tag, we have got responsibilities!

The BCSS was built in order to facilitate research and conservation. So if you are aligned with these objectives, get in touch to join the team for a week or two. Rates are very reasonable. And you get to stay with us out here on the edge of the whole world!

Get in touch on umzimkulu@gmail.com to make arrangements.

You can keep up by staying on top of The Sardine News’ various channels…YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

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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/

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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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