Mozambique Whale Shark and Manta Ray Conservation Project
This project carries out research integral to the conservation of this unique marine environment, whilst ensuring input from all local stakeholders.
History
Quest volunteer teams have been visiting Tofo Beach every year since 2000 as part of the Southern Africa Explorer Expedition. With every visit Quest leaders grew closer to the local community members and built up close and long standing friendships. Keen to support this marine paradise and the local communities Quest set up their first Mozambique project in late 2006, working closely with ECOCEAN, AMAR (Associasao de Merguladores Activos de Resurcos Marinos Naturales ) as well as local universities and government departments. Objectives
The short-term goals are to gather scientific information that can in turn be used to help local and global conservation initiatives and to create an environmental education programme. Local involvement is key and therefore at every stage local groups are involved in planning and decision making. Longer term goals involve the development of sustainable fisheries, the initiation of training and education programmes for local villagers and the protection of the abundant marine life. Achievements
- Construction of borehole and pump which will provide clean drinking water to 200 schoolchildren and a community of 360 people in total
- Carried out 72 research dives and 31 research snorkels (whale shark)
- Prepared community workshops and purchased additonal materials for the local school
- Obtained funding for our first Mozambican employee and corporate funding to build a school for Tofo in 2008.
Future Plans
As community involvement is key to the success of this project, initiatives aimed at involving local groups especially school groups are being developed with each team. As the Trust Fund grows the plan is that it will help to set up more employment for local community members to help protect the wealth of marine life year round, with the ultimate aim over the years to develop a properly regulated tax on diving activities to sustain conservation initiatives into the future and subsidise fishermen in the region. 
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