Prince Harry and US Delegation visit MMF Project in Bazaruto to Promote Marine Conservation in Mozambique
In August 2022, MMF led by Co-founder Dr Andrea Marshall spoke with a visiting Prince Harry and a US congressional delegation to give unique insight and a virtual tour of Mozambique’s extraordinarily rich underwater world. This visit was part of our ongoing efforts to promote and expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the region.
African Parks’ President Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex co-hosted the official US congressional delegation - which included US Senators and House Representatives - and groups of global leaders in conservation, philanthropy and community development.
Genaye Domenico(left), Conservation Program Manager at MMF with children experiencing our ocean virtual reality (VR) for the first time.
Protecting the “Marine Serengeti” of Africa through VR
The groups visited the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park - dubbed the “Marine Serengeti” of Africa as its waters support an outstanding number of marine megafauna species, from the majestic manta ray to the critically endangered rhino rays. It was the first MPA to be managed by African Parks, and its waters form part of a new Mission Blue Hope Spot, a status we helped the region secure earlier in 2022.
As part of their visit, Andrea had an opportunity to share MMF’s immersive virtual reality (VR) experience, taking them into the extraordinary underwater world of Mozambique.
“It was a privilege to be able to speak to Prince Harry and the US delegation about marine conservation in Mozambique and the importance of this area. Through our VR they could experience first-hand some of these important and critically endangered species living along this coastline.”
Afterwards, Andrea spoke with the delegates about the power of immersive VR to help communities develop a positive relationship with the ocean so they, too, become invested champions for marine conservation. “They understood immediately what we are trying to achieve here, showing genuine enthusiasm for the project. They agreed that it’s incredibly powerful, and that VR could be instrumental in changing an entire generation’s relationship with their environment - from not knowing about and fearing the ocean, to instilling a sense of joyful curiosity… all through this new cutting-edge immersive technology. It was a fantastic response.”
Bazaruto Seascape as a model for Conservation
As President of African Parks, Prince Harry actively works with the leadership team to help advance their goal of rehabilitating each park to make it socially, financially and ecologically sustainable in the long term. The non-profit conservation organization currently manages 22 parks and protected areas in 12 countries; their goal is to make that 30 parks by 2030. They see Bazaruto as a model for the creation of effective natural resource management that safeguards biodiversity while improving the surrounding communities and attracting tourism.
A tourist dives with manta rays in Bazaruto Park.
MMF collaborates with African Parks by filling knowledge gaps about Bazaruto’s megafauna through active monitoring and scientific studies, and providing information to help guide local, provincial and national conservation management plans.
In addition to our ongoing projects and educational efforts in the Inhambane Province, MMF is currently working with a number of NGOs, investors and stakeholders on the development and promotion of a new Environmental Protection Area (EPA) along the Inhambane Seascape. This new EPA has been designed to protect critical habitat for marine megafauna and safeguard key areas for biodiversity.
These new protections would be a major step in creating the preserved seascape needed to safeguard some of the most important marine megafauna populations in Africa.
The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park spans 1,430km2 and is home to several species of marine mammals - including threatened dugongs and humpback dolphins - as well as five species of nesting sea turtles, marlin, manta rays, whale sharks, and the area likely provides the most important habitats for the critically endangered rhino rays in Africa.
Andrea documents the critically endangered wedgefish populations in the Bazaruto Seascape.
The US’ Support for Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa
The official US delegation was there to help generate interest in the region and unlock support from the US government and its constituents for marine conservation in Mozambique.
According to Andrea, “it was a very successful event and there is more momentum than ever to support the expansion and management of a protected seascape in the region”. We were encouraged to see the following statement released by the State Department on day two of their visit.
The U.S. recognizes that Sub-Saharan Africa plays a critical role in advancing global priorities to the benefit of Africans and Americans. That is why we are building on our actions and commitments to deepen our engagement and partnerships in Africa. More: https://t.co/DrIlMPnWGm pic.twitter.com/lgzkeEALAk
— Department of State (@StateDept) August 16, 2022
MMF is proud to be part of the growing conversations and progress toward safeguarding such a globally significant marine megafauna population along the coast of Mozambique. We can’t do this without our diverse partners, contributors and members; when you support MMF in any way, you help us champion these efforts.
Because of you, we can spend the time and energy needed to think creatively about the issues facing marine life. We can develop visually rich media to inspire generations to actively care about their environment. We can write the necessary reports and grant applications for prospective investors and granting organizations that will fund our proposed work. We can lobby for protective legislative changes. We can meet with princes… and so much more.
Thank you for continuing to believe in us and our mission in Mozambique.
