Oceans and Fisheries Junior Officer

WWF Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal

Mar 2022 - Nov 2022

In this role, I supported the facilitation of fisheries co-management processes in Portugal, with a special focus on two emblematic initiatives: the ParticiPESCA project for the co-management of the small-scale octopus fishery in the Algarve, and the Co-management Committee for Goose Barnacle Fisheries in Berlengas. My day-to-day work included planning and organizing meetings, preparing reports, and engaging with diverse stakeholders to build dialogue and consensus. This experience also gave me the opportunity to represent WWF Portugal in other initiatives such as with PONG-Pesca, the Portuguese NGO platform on fisheries, or in the national Sardine Management Committee (Comissão de Acompanhamento da Sardinha). In addition, I took part in other marine conservation projects at WWF Portugal, such as “Golfinhos no Tejo”, dedicated to the observation and monitoring of cetaceans in the Tagus estuary.

MSc Marine Science - Marine Resources

ICBAS - Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal

Sep 2019 - Dec 2021

Courses taken include Ecological Modulation and Coastal Management, Integrated Management of Oceans, Marine Biology and Ecology, Science and Communication Methods, Population Dynamics. Developed a thesis entitled “Characterization and Sustainability of the Socio-Ecological System for the Exploitation of the Blue Jack Mackerel (Trachurus picturatus) in São Miguel, Azores”, carried out within the scope of the Blue Azores project (Oceano Azul Foundation, Waitt Foundation, and Azores Regional Government). The MSc was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought significant challenges, including adapting to online classes and evaluations, as well as carefully planning travel to the Azores and managing in-person contact with stakeholders for interviews. Despite these constraints, the research successfully combined semi-structured interviews and surveys with fishers and specialists, basic market analysis of blue jack mackerel, and the integration of ecological knowledge with local perceptions and management plans. The work concluded with recommendations for the sustainable co-management of the fishery, providing insights into the next steps needed to balance ecological sustainability with community needs. I successfully concluded the MSc with a final grade of 19 out of 20 (download the certificate here).

Trainee “Marine Conservation through Participatory Resource Management”

University of Exeter (UK), based in Príncipe, São Tomé and Príncipe

Sep 2018 - Apr 2019

Through the Erasmus+ Traineeship Programme, I joined the project Omali Vida Nón ("Sea, our life") on Príncipe Island (São Tomé and Príncipe), which aimed to strengthen participatory approaches to marine resource management by working directly with local fishing communities. During this field experience, I worked side by side with researchers and local communities, contributing to a variety of tasks. My work included laboratory analyses of fish maturation, the use of BRUV systems (underwater cameras) to assess marine biodiversity, and engaging directly with local fishers to collect socio-ecological data. This hands-on involvement not only gave me a different perspective on small-island fisheries and livelihood, but also gave me the chance to understand the importance of doing science for and with the local community. The traineeship concluded with the preparation of a comprehensive report on local fisheries data, bridging scientific findings with community realities.

BSc in Biology

University of Aveiro, Portugal

Sep 2015 - Jul 2018

During my bachelor’s studies, I built a strong foundation in the life sciences through courses such as General Ecology, Field Biology, Animal Physiology, and Genetic Engineering. I was also an active member of the elected Biology Students’ Association (Núcleo de Estudantes de Biologia - AAUAv), where I helped organize activities such as congresses, workshops, and lectures to enrich the academic experience of fellow students. As part of an Erasmus+ exchange, I spent one semester at the University of Joensuu (Finland), which broadened my academic perspective and allowed me to experience a different educational and cultural environment. My final project took me into the world of microbiology, where I analysed microbial communities associated with marsh plant roots and their role in heavy metal bioremediation. Along the way, I developed practical skills in the lab, working with techniques such as cloning, PCR, and electrophoresis.