Page 45 - Headingtonian Magazine 2017

When I returned, my experience in Mozambique and the plight of the marine life there was still very much in the forefront of my mind. It wasn’t something I could morally walk away from and live the rest of my life knowing I could have helped. I could have made a difference.
So, in November of my 4th year at the University of Southampton, aged 21,
whilst writing up my Master’s dissertation,
I founded Love The Oceans, a non-profit marine conservation NGO based in Guinjata Bay, Mozambique. I founded the organisation with the initial goal of continuing my shark fisheries research to enable us to lobby for legislation change on shark fin exports. However, I soon realised in a third world rural community the law doesn’t mean much and nothing could happen without education.
I approached two of the local schools and asked if we could teach basic geography, biology and marine conservation. Both schools agreed and were happy to have some help with the kids – one school has over 900 children with 7 teachers and the other 500 children with 6 teachers (all children under the age of 13). They have 16
classrooms between them – their resources are stretched to say the least!
Two of the girls who helped with the initial research now help with the organisation and we have expanded our work. The fisheries research has continued with the aim of changing legislation to favour more sustainable practices but now we also collect data on threatened coral reefs, and on whales, to demonstrate our area is a viable ecotourism hotspot. The overall aim
is to get Guinjata Bay and the surrounding area established as a Marine Protected Area through a bottom-up approach, increasing ecotourism and providing a sustainable alternate source of revenue for the local fishermen.
We have been running for two years and have already made a huge difference to
the local community. Every year we raise money for the schools. We employ local builders and source all our materials locally to improve learning facilities and boost the local economy. We secure stationery and book donations for the schools and, with sponsorship from Zoggs, we have started the first ever free-swimming initiative in the area. The aim is that the Guinjata Bay children
will one day be able to safely experience the marine world for themselves.
Love the Oceans takes volunteers from
all over the world to form research and education teams. Volunteers help us with research, teaching in the local schools and with swimming lessons. Volunteers and donations (both financial and material) are essential to our cause. If you’d like more information, or to get involved with our work please visit lovetheoceans.org You can also see my photos and buy prints through my website francescatrotman.com
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