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Inspiring Change: Engaging Students in Marine Conservation in Belize

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Since Turneffe Atoll was designated as a Marine Reserve in 2012 by Minister Lisel Alamilla, it has become a hub for tourism and research. At MarAlliance, we’ve been deeply involved in studying this unique ecosystem, focusing on fisheries and the economic value of Turneffe’s environmental assets. Thanks to the support from the BIOPAMA program, we’ve been able to measure the effectiveness of newly expanded legislation for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Belize, with a particular emphasis on long-term, community-based monitoring of marine megafauna at Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

In April 2023, we launched our tertiary-level student outreach program at the Calabash Caye Field Station. For the first time, students were invited through their institutions to take part in the hands-on surveying and monitoring of megafauna species. The MarAlliance Field program and Club have been a major success as they give students the opportunity to get the firsthand experience you can’t get in the classrooms.

During this program, students were introduced to our three core survey methods: transect swimming, Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) setting, and longline catch methods. Beyond fieldwork, the students were actively involved in data entry and video analysis, gaining a full understanding of the comprehensive effort required to monitor marine species – such as sharks, rays and sea turtles – effectively.

One of the most exciting outcomes of this initiative is the formation of the BRUV Club, led by our Senior Research Officer Clara Sabal. This club allows young marine enthusiasts to remain engaged with MarAlliance’s work long after their initial field experience and explore the realm of marine research and conservation. Through the BRUV Club, students continue to contribute to ongoing research and marine conservation efforts, making it a dynamic community of future marine scientists and stewards.



The program has also opened doors for students pursuing careers in marine biology. A prime example is Kael Wagner, who volunteered with us in April 2023. Starting with BRUV video analysis and data entry, Kael’s dedication quickly shone through. Within two months, he began participating in field monitoring part-time, and after six months of part-time work, he joined us full-time as our Junior Research Officer. Kael’s journey from volunteer to full-time team member in just eight months highlights the opportunities MarAlliance provides for aspiring marine biologists.

Kael shared his experience: “During my time volunteering with the MarAlliance team, I thought those experiences were some of the greatest highlights of my life, not knowing what was next to come. After working part-time for six months, I was presented with the opportunity to work full-time as a junior research officer. Coming from swimming in ponds and creeks to visiting and surveying the majority of the atolls and large marine protected areas in our country, I must say I am truly humbled and honored to be a part of this team. MarAlliance has given me countless opportunities to grow and learn, helping me develop my personal portfolio and strengthen my professional skills. My advice to young marine enthusiasts is to be persistent. Always remember that you are the one seeking a chance or an opportunity, so you must present yourself in a way that shows you truly want it. There are many individuals with the same passion and drive as you, so the key is to distinguish yourself from others through your work ethic, personal skills, and character.”

This outreach program, made possible with the support of the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) through the BIOPAMA Programme, is a critical part of our mission. By offering students like Kael hands-on experience and a clear pathway to employment, we are not only advancing marine research but also inspiring the next generation of conservationists and marine scientists. These efforts are essential in encouraging more individuals to pursue careers in marine biology, particularly those from communities far removed from coastal areas as we believe that research, education, and community involvement are key to fostering environmental stewardship and personal growth. 

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Asistente de comunicación (Internship)

MarAlliance es una organización internacional sin ánimo de lucro registrada en EE.UU., Belice, Panamá y Cabo Verde, cuyo objetivo es explorar, facilitar e inspirar cambios positivos para la fauna marina amenazada, especialmente tiburones y rayas, sus hábitats críticos y las comunidades humanas dependientes. Nuestra misión es amplia y ambiciosa, y trabajamos en tres idiomas y en siete países de tres regiones. Ante el declive de muchas poblaciones de megafauna marina, estas especies necesitan una voz fuerte, eficaz y con base científica que las represente para ayudar a los socios dependientes a dar forma a las estrategias y acciones de gestión y conservación para invertir el declive.

Resumen del puesto:

Buscamos a un becario (6 meses) proactivo, con conocimientos digitales y excelente capacidad de redacción y edición de textos, que apoye la creación de contenidos escritos de alta calidad y recursos multicanal para difundir el trabajo que MarAlliance realiza a través de sus plataformas en línea (sitio web, redes sociales, boletín, entre otras) y fuera de línea, y que interactúe con nuestro público externo para contribuir a nuestros objetivos generales de comunicación y marketing. El Asistente de Comunicación dependerá directamente del Coordinador de Comunicación y Marketing, y trabajará en estrecha colaboración con el resto del equipo para apoyarles en los elementos de comunicación de su trabajo.

Las funciones y responsabilidades incluirán, entre otras, las siguientes:

  1. Proporcionar apoyo creativo, editorial y operativo a los proyectos. 
  2. Apoyo en la organización, etiquetado y etiquetado del archivo fotográfico y gestión del archivo de vídeo.
  3. Gestión de la comunidad: Gestionar activamente los canales de medios sociales, así como identificar nuevas tendencias y oportunidades de colaboración. Generar reels y visuales.
  4. Apoyo en la redacción de artículos de blog (SEO) y contenido de boletines. 
  5. Ayudar a construir y desarrollar materiales, herramientas y acciones para campañas (online y offline).
  6. Ayudar en diferentes tareas relacionadas con la comunicación trabajando mano a mano con contratistas externos (desarrollador web, diseñador gráfico…) para mejorar el compromiso de las audiencias externas.
  7. Apoyo en la elaboración de informes de campañas y comunicaciones (Google Analytics, métricas de redes sociales, informes de marketing por correo electrónico).
  8. Como parte del Equipo de Comunicación de MarAlliance, apoyar al Coordinador de Comunicación y Marketing en cualquier otro proyecto de comunicación, coherente con las habilidades y experiencia del titular del puesto, en circunstancias no rutinarias.

Experiencia, conocimientos y aptitudes requeridos:

  1. Licenciatura en comunicación, periodismo, marketing o cualquier disciplina relacionada.
  2. Experiencia en comunicación digital o marketing.
  3. Pasión e interés por la naturaleza, la vida marina y la conservación.
  4. Capacidad demostrada para redactar y presentar comunicaciones creativas.
  5. Presencia y conocimientos de medios sociales y digitales.
  6. Capacidad para realizar múltiples tareas y detectar buenas historias.
  7. Capacidad para trabajar a distancia y cumplir los plazos establecidos.
  8. Conocimientos de diseño gráfico deseables, pero no necesarios.
  9. Conocimientos de edición de vídeo deseables pero no necesarios. 

Salario y prestaciones:

Estipendio durante 6 meses.

Idiomas:

Español, con fluidez en inglés

Localización:

Nacionales o residentes de Panamá, Belice, México, Honduras, Guatemala.

Este contrato será a distancia dentro de las zonas horarias de América, flexible, a tiempo completo y desde casa con hasta un 10% de viajes ocasionales locales e internacionales.

Cómo presentar la candidatura:

Por favor, envíe su currículum, portfolio si lo tiene, y carta de presentación a info@maralliance.org con “MAR-CA_Apellido” en el asunto antes del 21 de marzo, 2024. No se admiten llamadas.

Enviar cv

Communications Assistant (Internship)

MarAlliance is an international non-profit registered in the US, Belize, Panama and Cabo Verde that aims to explore, enable and inspire positive changes for threatened marine wildlife – notably sharks and rays – their critical habitats and dependent human communities. Our remit is broad and ambitious, and we work in three languages and across seven countries encompassed by three regions. In the face of declines in many populations of marine megafauna, these species need a strong, effective, and science-based voice to represent them to help dependent partners shape management and conservation strategies and action to reverse declines.

Position summary:

We are seeking for a proactive, digitally savvy Paid Intern (6 month) Communications Assistant with excellent writing and copy editing skills, who will support the creation of high-quality written content and multichannel assets to broadcast the work MarAlliance does through its online (website, social media, newsletter, among others) and offline platforms, and engage with our external audiences to contribute to our overall communications and marketing goals. The Communications Assistant will directly report consistently to the Communications and Marketing Coordinator, and work closely with the rest of the team to support them on the communications elements of their work.

Duties and responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  1. Provide creative, editorial, and operational project support. 
  2. Support organizing, labeling and tagging the photo archive and video archive management.
  3. Community Management: Actively manage social media channels, as well as identify new trends and collaboration opportunities. Generate reels and visuals.
  4. Support with writing blog articles (SEO) and newsletter content. 
  5. Help build and develop materials, toolkits, and actions for (online and offline) campaigns.
  6. Assist in different communications-related tasks working hand in hand with external contractors (web developer, graphic designer…) to improve the engagement of external audiences.
  7. Support in campaign and communications reporting (Google Analytics, social media metrics, email marketing reports)
  8. As part of the MarAlliance Communications Team, support the Communications and Marketing Coordinator with any other communications projects, consistent with the skills and expertise of the post holder, in non-routine circumstances.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills Required:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or any related discipline.
  2. Experience working in digital communications and or marketing.
  3. Passion and interest for nature, marine life and conservation.
  4. Proven ability to write and deliver creative communications.
  5. Social Media and digital presence and knowledge.
  6. Ability to multitask and spot good stories.
  7. Capable of working remotely and meeting established deadlines.
  8. Graphic design skills are desirable but not required.
  9. Video editing skills are desirable but not required.

Salary and benefits:

Stipend for 6 month.

Language:

English, Spanish are mandatory.

Location:

Panama, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala nationals or residents. 

This contract will be remote within the Americas time zones, flexible, full-time and home-based with up to 10% occasional local and international travel.

How to apply:

Please send your resume, portfolio if you have one, and cover letter to info@maralliance.org with “MAR-CA_Last name” in the subject line by 21st of March, 2024. No calls please.

Send CV