Marine Life with Brenda

Mussulo's Fauna  Mussulo is an island (peninsula) on the southern coast of Luanda in Angola. Mussulo's fauna possess a immense biodiversity as a wide range of creatures have this island as their natural habitat. The mangroves forest in Mussulo provide the nests for several marine creatures such as leader back turtles, green turtles, the common dolphin, sharks, octopus, squid, jelly fish, green swordtail, tetra, etc. These animals migrate to other parts of the globe according to the season, their life and reproductive cycle. From my experience I have seem a variety of fish, birds, crabs which are yet to be reported and even pigs. I have no doubts that are many more animals living there.   Author: Brenda Moita 

I love going to the beach and for me it is quite difficult to find a reason no to go. Whenever I'm there I enjoy snorkelling with my siblings and finding crustaceans, fish, some fossils and when lucky, dolphins. In medical terms, someone should go to the beach because it is a very easy way to get vitamin D which is important to absorb calcium and promote bone growth.  Furthermore, several types of cancer have been associated with lack of vitamin D e.g. breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, etc. so getting that extra supply of vitD could be a way to prevent disease. However, one should also be careful about the time and amount of sun exposure they have since the UV light can cause cellular damage and result in skin cancer. Other benefits linked to going to the beach include making beautiful memories in a gorgeous place with our loved ones, enjoying a wonderful sunset, exploring the local fauna and flora and finally, being more relaxed, less tired and happie...

Many people have given up on meat due to its impact on the environment. Although years ago being a pescatarian appeared to be a sustainable alternative, the damaging impact that industrial fishing has caused to several marine ecosystems has raised the awareness of individuals, research organisations and several environmental activist groups which resulted in the reduction in consumption of a marine based diet. As a consequence one could easily come to the conclusion that fishing is bad, should be banned and meat consumption should completely cease.  However, indigenous  people have a vary varied diet that includes the consumption of met and fish, and they hunt and fish without harming the ecosystem in which they live in. Natives from Mussulo for example, live in perfectly equilibrium with the environment while having a diet that includes meet and fish. Perhaps, this is the sort of life that someone  extremely concerned about the environment sho...

Mangroves are small trees which grow in coastal saline or brackish water. Having grown in a tropical peninsula by the sea I have developed a deep passion for mangroves not only for its beauty but more importantly because of its role in biodiversity. I love seeing colourful carbs growing up there, marine snakes, and all sorts of tropical fishes.  Considering the place were I am from there would be no hope for me but to love mangroves. These trees are just wonderful and perfect in every aspect. By the way this photograph was taken at Barra do Kwanza in Angola. Mangroves are evergreen forests found extensively in estuarine regions where the mud flats are wide and gently sloping. In addition to estuaries, they also live in intertidal regions of shallow bays and creeks where the environment is favourable to the growth of mangroves. Mangroves are a complete ecosystem, a conglomeration of many species of flora and fauna  in the area and their interactions with each ...

Lemon Shark  The lemon shark ( Negaprion brevirostris ) is a shark species of the Carcharhinidae family. Lemon sharks can grow to lengths of 3.4 metres. They are often found in subtropical shallow waters, and are known to inhabit and return for breeding to specific nursery sites.  In English they are called lemon sharks due to the yellow-brown colour of their skin (well they just look grey to me but I might be colour blind , who knows?!) which serves a means of camouflage with the sand. In order to hunt, they swim quite rapidly towards the prey, stopping abruptly before making contact, g rabbing the victim closely around his head and repeatedly turning it until bits of skin can be ripped off (savage!).  Author: Brenda Moita