Jorge Miguel Rodrigues Fontes
Who I am
I was born on the small island of Faial in the Azores archipelago, Portugal. Growing up just steps from the ocean, I have been connected to the water for as long as I can remember. My journey as a naturalist and marine ecologist probably began at the age of five or six when I first used my brother’s snorkel. Throughout my childhood, I spent as much time as possible in the ocean, sailing, free-diving, fishing, swimming, playing, observing and learning.
After high school, I moved to mainland Portugal to study marine biology and fisheries at the University of Algarve. Every summer, I returned to Faial to volunteer at the local marine research institute, where I conducted my final dissertation on the reproductive strategies and mating behaviour of Azorean damselfish. Since then, I have been involved in both fundamental and applied scientific research, covering marine reserve science, fish ecology and artisanal fisheries, while also developing skills in diving and underwater photography.
In 2009, I completed my PhD in marine ecology at the University of the Azores/University of California Santa Barbara, focusing on the impact of natural fish replenishment patterns on marine reserve design and sustainability. My work combines marine technology and ecology to develop non-invasive tagging methods and innovative biotelemetry tools for studying marine megafauna.
Where I work
Most of my research centres on the Azores islands, a remote archipelago in the north-eastern Atlantic associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These nine islands, rising from sea mounts that emerge from about 3,000 metres (9,842 feet) below the sea surface, form the most isolated oceanic archipelago in the North Atlantic, situated roughly 700 nautical miles from Europe and 2,000 from North America. The oceanography of this region is profoundly influenced by the Gulf Stream, making the Azores a vital hotspot and migratory crossroads for marine megafauna. It connects the eastern and western Atlantic and links productive boreal waters with tropical seas, attracting cetaceans, birds, turtles and more than 60 species of benthic and pelagic sharks and rays.
Certain species, such as tropical tuna, billfish, mobulid rays and whale sharks, are mostly seasonal visitors from June to November. Others, like groupers and various deep-water sharks, are permanent residents or use the area as a long-term nursery for juveniles, like those of blue, smooth hammerhead and tope sharks.
The fauna in this region is exceptionally vulnerable, with many species under significant protection. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 80% of sea turtles, 29% of sharks and fish and 17% of marine mammals in the Azores are classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Moreover, a considerable number of cetaceans and sharks and other fish are still listed as Data Deficient. This highlights the urgent need for continued research and conservation efforts in this unique and ecologically significant region.
What I do
A significant portion of my field work occurs during the warmer months in the offshore oceanic habitats around the Azores islands and sea mounts. Here, we encounter a diverse array of oceanic megafauna, including endangered species such as whale sharks, blue sharks, shortfin mako sharks and the sicklefin devil ray. Our work involves extensive observation of these animals’ behaviour and population characteristics, focusing on using classical and new non-invasive biologging and tracking tools to address fundamental ecological and conservation questions. This research aims to inform and improve management and conservation strategies both locally and on a broader scale.
In recent years, I have collaborated with various technology providers and innovators to develop non-invasive biologging and animal-borne ocean observation tools for deployment on iconic marine megafauna. My work emphasises global collaboration with scientists, engagement with stakeholders and support for decision-makers and policy-makers. In addition, mentoring students and communicating with the public to improve ocean literacy and disseminate our findings are critical aspects of my role.