News
Peri-Peri Divers completes first apprenticeship scheme
Two local fishermen have qualified as Open Water divers in their first steps to joining the dive industry.
In partnership with the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF), Peri-Peri Divers in Tofo Beach, Mozambique, is pleased to announce the completion of its first ever local apprenticeship scheme. Two local fishermen have spent three months with the company, undertaking their PADI Open Water qualification and learning about all the workings of a dive school.
While 60% of Mozambicans live close to the ocean and most depend on it for their main source of income, and fish as their main source of protein, fish stocks are rapidly declining. These massive declines are impacting negatively on local communities and are largely the result of unsustainable fishing practices, including artisanal gill net fishing with small mesh size. MMF is working with coastal communities to help change their perception of marine life and to become ambassadors for ocean protection. The first step is to help them take pride in their ocean resources, and to develop more sustainable ways of living. For these two apprentices, who are former gill net fishermen, the programme will open up a potential new career path while also promoting a positive relationship with the ocean.
Steve Counsel, co-owner of Peri-Peri, said: “When Fernando and Carlos started working with us three months ago, they were already able to swim but didn’t speak much English. When they started their Open Water course in April, you could just see the happiness on their face and how delighted they were when they took their first breaths underwater.
“After a couple of weeks, they were out in the open sea experiencing scuba diving for the first time and were able to actually see fish in their natural habitat for an extended period,” he continued. “Obviously, this was quite a change from what they’re used to as fishermen – they were so surprised by what was happening underwater. It’s been great to see them realise the beauty of marine life (alive!) and the inspiration this has given them to carry on with their scuba diving journey.
“Since then, they’ve gone from strength to strength: they finished their Open Water course and the next step is for them to do their deep dive, which they’ll complete when conditions are suitable. Now they both have about 15-16 dives each and are really comfortable in the water. They’ve also been taking English classes with the MMF team and their language skills have massively improved, which has also led to a hugely positive change in their personal interactions with dive centre staff and clients alike. They’ve done really well and it’s been fantastic to see them excel.”
The Marine Megafauna Foundation has been integral to the success of the apprenticeship. The charity’s conservation team came up with the concept and worked with Peri-Peri to develop the programme. They also worked with the local community to identify candidates among the gill net fishermen for the Peri-Peri team to interview and choose the two most suitable for the role. The Apprentices have not only been learning to dive, they have also been trained on all aspects of dive operations, from logistics to diver support. This opportunity has opened up many possibilities. Now the three months are over, the Apprentices will continue to work part-time with Peri Peri and focus the rest of their time on improving their English in preparation for a new career in the dive industry.
Carlos said: “We have learned lots of things during our apprenticeship. As well as diving, we have been taught how to organise equipment and look after the customers – we really enjoy it. My elder brother used to be a fisherman as well and now he is working as a skipper in Ponta d’Ouro. Our family are interested in seeing us continue careers in diving rather than fishing.”
Fernando said: “Before we started diving we thought fish were afraid of people but now we’ve spent more time with them underwater we can see that they like to play with humans. Our first ever dive was really cool. We had been speargun fishing in the past, so we were already good at freediving and our dive instructor, Moises, was really surprised at how confident we were in the water!
“We’ve liked almost everything we’ve seen in the ocean: whales, turtles – I like them all,” he continued: “My feelings about fishing are not the same now because I realise that gill nets remove everything from the ocean – even small fish, stones and reef – which is not good. I would like other fishermen to change their minds about using gill nets too and try to find another source of income or use nets that do not have such a small mesh.”
Talking about the partnership with MMF, Steve said: “For me, what MMF has done has been very cool. The whole concept and the effort everyone has put in has been great. It’s helped us find two guys that really enjoy diving and, for me as an employer, MMF’s support has made it a lot easier to give these young men the opportunity to get into the industry. There’s obviously still a long way to go but they’ve done exactly what the programme set out to do and it’s been a really good experience both for our two apprentices and for us at Peri-Peri. While they still need to improve their English skills further, we are hoping to be able to offer them positions with us in the New Year.”
Peri-Peri Divers is also about to unveil its newly renovated 5* PADI development centre which is due to open in December 2018. The dive centre will include a 5m deep, 10m wide training pool – which will be the deepest in Mozambique – as well as up-to-date, spacious classrooms, a designated area for cameras and a new Nitrox membrane. In addition, Peri-Peri will also provide kiteboarding lessons, freediving courses and complimentary yoga for clients diving with them. Of course, even in these new surroundings, the Peri-Peri team will still offer a friendly, down-to-earth attitude and personalised, small-group dive service which prioritises safety above all else.
MMF will continue to work with the local community in Tofo and expand to neighboring communities, to help them improve sustainable fishing practices and ocean conservation. Mariana Coelho, MMF’s Mozambique Country Director, said: “We’re so pleased to see how successful this programme has been. Our aim was to open up a new career path for these young fishermen and it’s great to see how well they’ve excelled in their roles as well as the new respect and love for the ocean they’ve developed during their time with Peri-Peri. We wish them all the best in their continued careers.”
For more information about the Marine Megafauna Foundation visit their website by clicking here.
For more information about Peri-Peri Divers visit their website by clicking here.
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs
Creature Feature: Undulate Ray
In this series, the Shark Trust will be sharing amazing facts about different species of sharks and what you can do to help protect them.
This month we’re looking at the Undulate Ray. Easily identified by its beautiful, ornate pattern, the Undulate Ray gets its name from the undulating patterns of lines and spots on its dorsal side.
This skate is usually found on sandy or muddy sea floors, down to about 200 m deep, although it is more commonly found shallower. They can grow up to 90 cm total length. Depending on the size of the individual, their diet can range from shrimps to crabs.
Although sometimes called the Undulate Ray, this is actually a species of skate, meaning that, as all true skates do, they lay eggs. The eggs are contained in keratin eggcases – the same material that our hair and nails are made up of! These eggcases are also commonly called mermaid’s purses and can be found washed up on beaches all around the UK. If you find one, be sure to take a picture and upload your find to the Great Eggcase Hunt – the Shark Trust’s flagship citizen science project.
It is worth noting that on the south coasts, these eggcases can be confused with those of the Spotted Ray, especially as they look very similar and the ranges overlap, so we sometimes informally refer to them as ‘Spundulates’.
Scientific Name: Raja undulata
Family: Rajidae
Maximum Size: 90cm (total length)
Diet: shrimps and crabs
Distribution: found around the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat: shelf waters down to 200m deep.
Conservation Status : As a commercially exploited species, the Undulate Ray is a recovering species in some areas. The good thing is that they have some of the most comprehensive management measures of almost any elasmobranch species, with both minimum and maximum landing sizes as well as a closed season. Additionally, targeting is entirely prohibited in some areas. They are also often caught as bycatch in various fisheries – in some areas they can be landed whilst in others they must be discarded.
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
For more great shark information and conservation visit the Shark Trust Website
Image Credits: Banner – Sheila Openshaw; Illustration – Marc Dando
Blogs
Guarding Against Coral Invaders
Protecting (Dutch) Caribbean Reefs from Unomia stolonifera
Recent reports highlight the concerning spread of the invasive soft coral, Unomia stolonifera, currently devastating Venezuela’s marine ecosystems and detected in Cuba. With the potential threat of its expansion to the (Dutch) Caribbean islands, urgent action and awareness are essential to safeguard marine biodiversity and local economies from possible catastrophic consequences.
Invasive species are animals or plants from another region of the world that don’t belong in their new environment. These species can have major ecological effects by decimating native flora or fauna. They can also cause large economic losses and impact human health. Invasive species also pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, including the Dutch Caribbean. Among these invaders is the octocoral species Unomia stolonifera or “Pulsing Xenia”, originally from the Indo-Pacific. With its rapid growth and lack of natural predators, this species can outcompete native species and disrupt fragile marine habitats such as seagrass beds and coral reefs.
Background
The invasive soft coral U. stolonifera was first identified in 2014, off the coast of Venezuela. It is believed to have been introduced via the illegal aquarium trade. Since this species can reproduce sexually and asexually (or fragment), even small pieces can regenerate to spread. Once introduced it quickly took over shallow reefs and hard substrate at depths of 0-50 meters, outcompeting local corals and seagrass for space. Follow on surveys found that this coral species exhibited average percentage cover as high as 80%, vastly outcompeting native corals. In highly colonized areas, fish are disappearing due to loss of habitats.
In 2022, during a survey conducted in Cuba by the University of Havana, an unknown octocoral was discovered which was later identified as the invasive Unomia stolonifera. It is suspected that the coral larvae arrived in ballast water from fossil fuel ships originating from Venezuela, as nearby sites adjacent to Venezuelan ports have been heavily affected by the invasion.
How to help
Prevention through continuous monitoring, particularly in high-risk areas such as marine harbors and oil facilities, is paramount. Early detection plays a pivotal role in mitigating the threat posed by Unomia stolonifera.
The public’s involvement and awareness are also vital. Local communities, recreational divers, tourists, and all stakeholders are urged to participate in early detection efforts by reporting sightings (photo, location and date) of this invasive coral to their respective Protected Area Management Organization (PMO’s)- the Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA), STINAPA Bonaire, CARMABI Curaçao , Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NFSXM) and St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA). If an invaded area is confirmed, follow the recommendations by the local PMO’s.
Keys to Success
Despite the challenges, early detection is key to mitigating the threat posed by Unomia stolonifera. With continued vigilance, research, and community engagement, there is hope for containing this potential issue before it becomes a major threat.
About the DCNA
The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports (science) communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature related (scientific) information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and through the press. This article contains the results from several scientific studies but the studies themselves are not DCNA studies. No rights can be derived from the content. DCNA is not liable for the content and the in(direct) impacts resulting from publishing this article.
-
Blogs3 months ago
‘Simply the Best’ – Quintessential Red Sea Diving
-
News2 months ago
Hone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News1 month ago
Capturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months ago
Creature Feature: Nurse Sharks
-
News2 months ago
Join Lembeh Resort’s Macro Photography Workshop with Scott Gutsy Tuason this April
-
Miscellaneous Blogs3 months ago
Book Review: The Lives of Seaweeds
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs1 month ago
Creature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs2 months ago
A day in the life of Marsa Shagra with Sea to Sky