Love the Oceans (LTO) is a non-profit marine conservation organisation working in Jangamo Bay, Mozambique. LTO is working to protect and study the diverse marine life found here, which includes many species of sharks, rays, and the famous humpback whales. We use research, education, and diving to drive action towards a more sustainable future. Our ultimate goal is to establish a Marine Protected Area for the Inhambane Province in Mozambique, achieving higher biodiversity whilst protecting endangered species.
LTO takes a holistic approach to conservation which means working in lots of different areas: ocean trash research, coral reef surveys, humpback whale research, megafauna, and fisheries research, as well as three community outreach projects: teaching marine conservation, swimming skills, and running conservation workshops with active community members.
Removing ghost nets is all part of the job, and unfortunately common practice in Jangamo. Scuba diver Jacques van Wyk cuts this Dusky shark free. Photo credit: Francesca Trotman
What makes Love The Oceans different?
Jangamo (our area of work) is typical of most of the coastline of Mozambique. More than 60% of Mozambicans live below the poverty line and less than 40% attend secondary education (13 -17yrs old). In rural areas, there is little law enforcement and very little interest in the conservation of marine resources. Therefore, in the rural location of Jangamo, LTO’s bottom-up, community-led approach becomes critical to ensure transformative, culturally-integrated change to conserve a habitat that is essential for human survival.
A holistic approach is fundamental in enabling and empowering indigenous communities to overcome barriers that may prevent a more sustainable way of life, and take control of their natural resources. LTO works in two spaces: research and community outreach, both of which are as important as one another in achieving protection for this area. The research LTO conducts is for publications to advocate for legislative change and inform conservation action to protect different endangered species and habitats in our area.
Love The Oceans Turtle Patrol Team, Consisting of Pascoal Nhamussua (LTO Community Outreach Manager), Mario Guilamba (LTO Intern) & Bento Nhamussua (LTO Intern). Photo credit: Love The Oceans
Poverty alleviation and successful conservation are also intrinsically linked. This means community outreach is essential to educate and provide opportunities for people to supplement their income and transition from unsustainable fishing to alternative livelihoods. This would not only increase food security and help alleviate poverty but also benefit the environment. Poverty alleviation grants people financial stability and allows us to explain and help implement a more sustainable way of life.
Love The Oceans has measurable impacts
“Many people follow what I do. I came from nothing, I have to be someone here until this ends. I have to contribute, I have to be an example for my community. The organisation Love The Oceans has changed my life, from fisherman to conservationist.”
– Pascol Nhamussua, Love The Oceans Community Outreach Manager.
LTO prides itself on making a tangible difference to environmental protection, awareness, as well as the local community they work with. Below are a few measurable impacts of LTO’s work since we began in July 2015.
- LTO has hosted 227 international volunteers and students in Mozambique
- Over 85,000 pieces of plastic + >1T of trash has been picked up off the beach and upcycled into eco-bricks
- 3000+ hours of research has been logged
- >1150 kids have been taught marine resource management
- >800 kids have been taught basic swimming skills
- 10 classrooms have been completed at each school so the first-ever high school can be established in the area
- Love The Oceans was recognised as 1 of 15 global grassroots #forcesforchange by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and received international recognition for our work.
- The first-ever turtle team for the Jangamo district was trained and assembled, comprising completely of indigenous community members
Pascoal Nhamussua, LTO’s Community Outreach Manager, leading a lesson on coral reefs. You can watch Pascoal’s journey with conservation and swimming here. Photo credit: Jeff Hester, for Photographers Without Borders
Want more info?
If you want to read more about Love The Oceans or get involved in their work, you can check out their website lovetheoceans.org, and keep up-to-date with their daily activities via their social media: Instagram, twitter, facebook and linkedin (@lovetheoceans).
