The following article was written by one of the SAMI students within the first week of arriving in Vilanculos, Mozambique joining SAMI for their internship.

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“Imagine yourself as a fish, swimming around within the wonderful blue warm ocean living the life of being as free as you can possibly be. Suddenly something dark falls upon you. You are blocked from all sides and cannot escape. Looking around, hoping that somewhere something will save you from this horrible ordeal or even possible death. Then finally, all hope seems to fail, your last breaths are taken and all that’s left is you floating and drifting within the ocean, becoming the next meal for the next possible fish that would probably overcome the same procedure which you have. This is what many of the fish in Mozambique are facing.

Many coastal communities within Mozambique all depend on the ocean as their main source of food. With no knowledge of the ocean but only techniques mastered in catching their next source of income or possible meal, these people have started to collect and sell any fish captured within their nets. Some of the fish which are caught in the net and are not worthy of being sold are simply discarded within the ocean and are seen floating above the surface or lying on the sand to die.

As shocking as this might sound, it is occurring and if action is not taken, possible depletion of fish stocks could occur. S.A.M.I (South African Marine Institute) a recently developed organisation, had located to Mozambique and intend on making a difference to help save our oceans before any more harm could occur. The organisation aims on making a difference by helping to educate the coastal community about the benefits and importance of our oceans and with this is hoping to achieve positive results. The organisation hopes to teach the people within Mozambique more better fishing techniques, so that unnecessary fish caught within nets, will be to a minimum.

Now imagine being a fish swimming within the wonderful warm waters of Mozambique. Living within a healthy habitat and sharing a wonderful ecosystem with many other fish. This is the life that any organism deserves and needs to have. You too can save and help our oceans. Do your part and contact the S.A.M.I, help us in bettering the oceans and saving our seas”.

By Aminah Shabodien