The Oceanographic Institute of Mozambique (InOM), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR), is carrying out a scientific expedition in the marine waters under Mozambican jurisdiction with the Norwegian research vessel "Dr. Fridtjof Nansen"..

The main aim of the expedition is to improve knowledge of the ecology and population dynamics of marine resources in Mozambique, investigating the main spawning grounds, early life stages (larvae), adult stock dynamics, genetic diversity, environmental and climatic factors to ensure food security and sustainable promotion of the blue economy.

In a NewsThe researchers consider that the first stage of the expedition dedicated to researching the larval stages of marine resources on the Sofala Bank, off the coast of the central region of the country, which took place between February 9 and 25, 2025, was successful. The second stage of the expedition on fishing resources along the Mozambican coast from Rovuma to Maputo began on February 28 and will run until March 31, with the research vessel leaving for other regions of the Indian Ocean.

The ship "Dr. Fridtjof Nansen" will return to Mozambican waters for the third stage of the expedition between October 20 and November 10, 2025, with a view to researching and mapping the seabed habitats of the Sofala Bank.

Participating in the first and second stages of the expedition was a multidisciplinary team made up of 43 national scientists from various Mozambican institutions, including the Oceanographic Institute of Mozambique (InOM), Eduardo Mondlane University (Department of Biological Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Natural History Museum, Biotechnology Center of Eduardo Mondlane University and the Quelimane School of Marine Sciences).

(Photo DR)