KISAWASANCTUARY MOZAMBIQUE SPECIAL INTEREST

Kisawa Sanctuary is empowering researchers to turn critical data into lasting conservation outcomes.

Text by Ekaterina Kalashnikova | IMAGES by Orlando Miranda & Salvador Colvee

Conducting marine research and conservation in remote, understudied areas affected by global climate change has never been more challenging. An adverse political climate - both globally and regionally - adds another layer of difficulty. Conservation organisations around the world struggle with financial stability, often facing limited and fragmented funding. This undermines the consistency and sustainability of the long-term environmental monitoring required for actionable science and meaningful conservation outcomes. The traditional "business-as-usual" model no longer operates effectively, and fundamentally new solutions are needed to sustain efforts in protecting wildlife and its habitats.

Ironically, successful fundraising itself demands substantial resources - both human and financial - which are often equally scarce. This creates a daunting cycle that many organisations struggle to break.

Here we are, in one of the most ecologically significant marine ecosystems - the magnificent Bazaruto seascape. It encompasses one of Mozambique’s oldest marine protected areas (MPAs) and the equally vital surrounding waters.

Inspired by its unparalleled biodiversity, pristine beaches, and intricate ecosystems -including mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and pelagic waters - two organisations, Kisawa Sanctuary and Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies (BCSS), joined forces in a pioneering partnership. This first-of-its-kind tandem is setting a new precedent for marine research, paving the new way of contributing knowledge to the conservation of this fragile biome.

The groundbreaking approach of the Resort-to-Research (R-2-R) concept, created by Princess Nina of Greece, founder of both the Sanctuary and the Research Center, ensures that the Ocean Observatory hosted by BCSS is equipped for long-term environmental monitoring. This means consistent data collection over extended periods - essential for addressing the limitations of short-term projects that lack longevity. By doing so, they guarantee an ongoing contribution to scientific knowledge, making the data publicly accessible and impactful.

More importantly, through interaction with guests and visitors, this partnership makes science, previously unknown biodiversity hotspots, and behind-the-scenes insights more accessible to the public. This helps inspire and foster a new generation of environmental ambassadors. Kisawa guests are invited to participate in BCSS-led activities and scientific experiences. A highlight among these is Ocean Mapping & Monitoring, which resulted in the first-ever 3D visual mapping of 13 dive sites - a groundbreaking initiative within the hospitality sector.

By engaging in these opportunities, guests directly support marine research, enabling BCSS to gather robust data across this iconic seascape and better understand its marine life and oceanic processes.

Considerable effort went into diving expeditions, generating valuable data on species inventories, ocean acidification, carbon transfer, plastic pollution, and marine population dynamics. All data are shared openly, promoting collaboration with both national and global research institutions and policymakers.

Explore more insights in the reports section of our website.

The R2R concept is more than a collaboration - it’s a long-term commitment to scientific research. It provides a stable platform for environmental monitoring, ensuring both financial and operational sustainability.

Through this model, Kisawa Sanctuary guests contribute directly to non-profit research, creating a nature-positive relationship between hospitality and conservation. Data generated by BCSS directly inform daily operations at the Sanctuary—from sustainable construction decisions to guest experiences such as diving activities, which are planned in accordance with weather data and wildlife sighting calendars.

In 2024 alone, BCSS’s weather station and underwater sensors collected over 300,000 data points, contributing to more than 16 million data points gathered since the Observatory’s inception. These data span over 30 environmental variables and are used to generate comprehensive weather tables, including air and sea temperatures, precipitation, and wind averages.

Kisawa and BCSS go beyond luxury and scientific collaboration—they are deeply committed to sustainability and aligning their efforts with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a 51% reduction in their carbon footprint, both the Resort and the Observatory continue to adopt sustainable practices, actively working to prevent marine pollution, support education initiatives, and encourage responsible consumption.

Want to dive in - literally? Reach out at info@bcssmz.org to experience our scientific diving activities firsthand, support conservation in Mozambique, and become part of our mission to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Bazaruto seascape. We’d be delighted to organise a diving expedition for your group and share our passion for ocean science - doing what we love most: being on, in, and under the water.