Bitonga Divers

  Bitonga Divers was formed in 2006, in Tofo, Mozambique by Carlo Macuacua, Anabela Muchunga, and Timothy Dykman, Director of Ocean Revolution to provide professional Scuba training for rural Moçambicans, allowing them to get professional jobs in the dive tourism industry and linking them to postive environmental action. When Bitonga Divers was formed, there were no Moçambican divemasters or instructors. Since that time, Bitonga Divers has trained 21 Mozambican Instructors and 27 divemasters. In addition to professional dive training, Bitonga Divers participates with Ocean Revolution in training Mozambican graduate students (future scientists, regulatory and policy-makers) enrolled in the University Eduardo Mondlane Masters program of Marine Biology and Coastal Management, students of the UEM Tourism School in Inhambane, the Inhambane Fire Department, the Ministry of Fisheries and the coastal marine police. They have trained 16 Mozambican archaeologists, numerous skippers and commercial divers and many young people now employed in international conservation organizations operating in Mozambique. Bitonga Divers also conducts community awareness and recruitment events in remote coastal villages along the Inhambane coast from Inhassoro to Zavora. These "Village Talks" help to build responsible local economies through ecosystem and resource education. Ocean Revolution Mozambique works with Indigenous Communities to support projects, provide funding skills, facilitate knowledge-transfer, and create international networks capable of influencing local, regional and global action. Ocean Revolution Moçambique through its many partners has a single goal: to create a social change multiplier through their collaborations that will protect vulnerable marine resources, strengthen indigenous culture and rights, and provide opportunities for sustainable economic development. Ocean Revolution Mozambique is a Project of Ocean Revolution