ElasmOcean has supported the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) in Mozambique for many years. We therefore initially read their 2025 report with joy, as it proves how important our work there is. However, there is also distressing news from the East African country - read for yourselves.
Here is our translation of the original English text:
Impact Report Ocean Guardians 2025 MMF
We are delighted to share the remarkable journey we undertook in 2025 with our "Ocean Guardians" programme. Every child we teach and inspire experiences a profound transformation as they discover the breath-taking wonders of our oceans and assume the role of a protector. Our commitment is unwavering: we do not just teach swimming – we train the next generation of marine conservationists who will value and preserve their marine heritage for years to come. Join us in this vital mission and help secure a better, healthier ocean for all.
Our Year in Marine Conservation
Education
With great pleasure and deep gratitude, we present our "Ocean Guardians" report for the year 2025. This year was undoubtedly one of the most defining in our journey – for the first time in the 14-year history of the programme, we reached a truly remarkable milestone: we welcomed more than 1,400 new "Ocean Guardians", including 659 girls, across all programmes. This extraordinary achievement is a powerful testament to our commitment to educating and empowering the next generation of marine conservationists, and none of this would have been possible without the generous support of our valued donors.
Preschool and Primary School Programme: Amplifying Our Impact
This year, remarkable graduation ceremonies took place in preschools, primary schools, and secondary schools across five communities – Bazaruto, Morrungulo, Tofo, Barra, and Rocha. Across seven schools, we proudly celebrate 794 graduates – including 343 girls – who completed their journey as young marine conservationists.
Secondary School Programme: Deepening Conservation Knowledge
Building on last year's pilot project, our secondary school programme expanded further in 2025, reaching three schools in Tofo and Inhambane. Our team delivered a specially designed marine conservation curriculum of 15 lessons, complemented by VR technology to provide students with an immersive window into Mozambique's underwater world. This year, we proudly graduated 620 young marine leaders – including 316 girls – taking vital steps towards an environmentally conscious future.
Bringing the Ocean to Life: Our Virtual Reality Initiative
Our Virtual Reality initiative continued to transform how communities connect with the sea in 2025, reaching 4,810 participants – both children and adults. By integrating immersive VR experiences into our marine conservation curriculum, participants were able to explore the seafloor, identify marine life, and witness first-hand the urgency of protecting fragile marine ecosystems.
We celebrated World Oceans Day in Bazaruto, Tofo, and – for the first time – at Zavora Beach, engaging fishers, teachers, and children in VR experiences. We also participated in an exhibition at the Regional Museum of Inhambane, providing local students and residents with interactive marine explorations. At the marine biodiversity conference in Beira, VR technology allowed policymakers, scientists, and conservationists to experience the underwater world first-hand, deepening the dialogue on conservation policy and strengthening collaboration between academia, government agencies, and civil society.
Making Waves: Swimming and Water Safety
The year 2025 was one of progress for water safety in Inhambane Province, but also one of heartbreak. We recorded 24 tragic drownings along the coast – including fishers and children in Bazaruto, Vilankulo, Tofo, Morrungulo, Pomene, and Zavora – a sobering reminder of why our swimming and water safety programmes are so indispensable for these coastal communities. Against this backdrop, the commitment of our team and the enthusiasm of our participants made the achievements of this year's swimming programme all the more meaningful. We are proud to have trained 362 new swimmers – including 188 girls – in three communities: Tofo led with 220 graduates, followed by Morrungulo with 99 and Bazaruto with 43. Each graduation represents not just a new skill, but potentially a life saved. These figures reinforce our determination to expand water safety education along the coast and highlight the urgent need to continue investing in swimming programmes for fishing communities and children who live and work by the sea every day.
Saturday Activities: Learning Through Play
Our Saturday recreational programme had an incredibly successful year, reaching 100 young participants in Tofo (45), Morrungulo (30), and Bazaruto (25). Through a diverse mix of beach clean-ups, crafting activities, and water safety lessons, this programme plays a crucial role in fostering positive attitudes towards environmental protection among children and in their schools. In Tofo and Bazaruto, participants also had the opportunity to explore the marine environment through marine safaris and guided visits to mangrove areas, deepening their understanding of the critical role mangroves play in healthy marine ecosystems.
Coral Reef Club: Nurturing Future Leaders
Our Coral Reef Club – young adults aged 16 to 21 who have graduated from our educational programme – continues to nurture the next generation of ocean guardians. This year, 32 dedicated members, including 16 young women, deepened their knowledge of marine conservation through engaging courses and English lessons led by our enthusiastic teacher, Advencia. Building on this foundation, 14 members are participating in vocational training through IFPELAC, a government initiative providing young Mozambicans with practical skills in electrical installation, carpentry, plumbing, and tailoring. By combining environmental awareness with practical skills, these young adults are well on their way to becoming leaders in their communities, advocating for both sustainable livelihoods and a healthier ocean.
Our Impact Up to 2025:
1,414 Young Ocean Guardians
362 New Swimmers
4,810 Virtual Marine Experiences
32 Coral Reef Club Graduates
100 Participants in Saturday Activities
“I am a parent of a child participating in the Nemos Pequenos programme, and I would like to describe in a few words what this programme means to us as a family and as a community. Before Nemos Pequenos, many of our children saw the sea only as a place of danger. Today, they learn to swim, to respect the water, and to understand the importance of protecting our ocean. This gives us as parents greater peace of mind and more confidence in our children. This programme does not just teach swimming or marine conservation. It teaches discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and a love for nature. The children come home and talk about what they have learned – motivated and proud. For the community, Nemos Pequenos is an opportunity. It prepares our children for a better future linked to the sea, to sustainable tourism, and to the protection of our natural resources. On behalf of the parents, I thank the entire Nemos Pequenos team for believing in our children and investing in the future of our community. Thank you very much.”
Mr Jose – Tofo Community
Can You Help Us Rebuild?
Our education centre in Tofo was severely affected in February 2026 when Cyclone Gezani struck Mozambique, tearing off the roof and causing significant damage to the facility. Along with ongoing maintenance expenses, the total cost of restoration amounts to 5,160 US dollars. Thanks to a generous donation of 735 US dollars received so far, we have made a promising start – but we still need your help to raise the remaining 4,425 US dollars to complete the work. Necessary renovations include replacing the roof, repairs to doors, windows, and floors, as well as new interior and exterior painting to protect the building from future weather damage. Every contribution brings us one step closer to restoring our education centre as a safe and welcoming space for the children and communities we serve. Together, we can ensure it remains the heart of marine discovery and conservation in Tofo for years to come.
A Message of Thanks
None of these achievements would be possible without the support of our donors, partners, and the wonderful communities we serve. Every child who learns to swim, every piece of plastic turned into art, and every spark of curiosity about the marine world is a step towards a more sustainable future for the coastal communities of Mozambique. Looking ahead, we remain committed to our mission of educating ocean guardians who protect and value their marine heritage. Thank you for walking this path with us.
With deep gratitude and hope for the future as vast as the ocean,
The Ocean Guardians Team
