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Support the protection of identified iconic species.
Protecting marine ecosystems requires understanding the biology, behaviour and habitat needs of iconic and ecologically important species. Charismatic marine megafauna such as whales, turtles and sharks are also vitally important umbrella species for protecting marine habitats and less well recognised marine plants and animals.
Our research and conservation work focuses on a range of marine species in East Africa including projects on coral diversity and reef health, studies of the movements and biology of sharks and giant trevally, and other projects that focus on humpback whales, reef fish, and a range of terrestrial plants and animals that are found at our island sites.
Sea turtles are a particular focus and our efforts include some of the longest, continuously running sea turtle nest monitoring programmes in Africa. Five turtle species occur in the waters of eastern Africa, and each of our sites has an important part to play in the protection of these threatened species:
Mnemba Island is one of the most important nesting sites for green turtles in Tanzania
Vamizi Island is home to the oldest and only on-going turtle monitoring project in northern Mozambique, and is one of few hawksbill turtle nesting sites in the region
Benguerra Island & the Bazaruto Archipelago is one of few places off Africa where all 5 turtle species occur