An enriching and eye-opening experience

Coming into my second chapter at the D’Arros Research Centre felt like a natural progression. With all I had learnt, and the skills acquired during my DRC internship previously, it was a stage of putting all my knowledge to work. I feel very honored to have been given an opportunity to continue my journey at the SOSF-DRC as a Research Assistant. With the skills I had gained during my internship, coming back was a breeze. Even if my stay was longer, it was not as hectic as the previous months. The days consisted of the long-term monitoring projects mainly; turtle walks & turtle tagging, tortoise monitoring, PIT- tagging of juvenile sharks in the St Joseph Atoll, manta surveys and the office responsibilities such as entering and analyzing data.

Release of a juvenile shark after taking its measurements in St Joseph atoll. Photo by Alessia Lavigne | © Save Our Seas Foundation

There were also two visiting researchers who came during these months – Rachel Newsome, who is using animal-attached tagging technologies to investigate behavior and energetics of reef manta rays at D’Arros and St Joseph, as well as Aymeric Bein, president of a conservation association called Shark Citizen based on Reunion Island. Aymeric and his colleague Celia, joined the DRC for two weeks to learn about the different methods we use to safely capture, tag and release juvenile sharks. It was a pleasure to be involved in showing him how to handle the juvenile sharks including all the work ups that were needed.

Amy searching for lesser noddy nests in a native forest patch. Photo by Ellie Moulinie | © Save Our Seas Foundation

Furthermore, I got the privilege to be a part of the D’Arros Experience 2024. It was inspiring to see the younger generation be environmentally conscious and to partake in educating them about D’Arros and St Joseph’s ecosystem and its importance. Additionally, we attended Seychelles’ first Marine Symposium on Mahé; learning about all the research being done in Seychelles was very encouraging. It was also an opportunity to meet and engage with different scientists and people in the marine related field. As part of the DRC team, I also participated in an ocean-based event in Victoria, Mahé, organized by the ‘Dekouver Nou Losean’ Collective, a group  made up of young, dynamic ocean advocates, in collaboration with the Seychelles Marine Science Symposium. The event aimed to showcase the beauty and diversity of coastal and marine environments and sought to raise public awareness about the various challenges these environments face, such as pollution, overfishing, and climate change. During the event, we were able to engage and inform the public about the work of the D’Arros Resarch Centre , the importance of conservation, and the aim of the Save our Seas Foundation (SOSF).

Careful release of a sub-adult blacktip reef shark in St Joseph Atoll. Photo by Alessia Lavigne | © Save Our Seas Foundation

These experiences and my time on D’Arros has really been enlightening. It has given me so much knowledge and broadened my perspective about conservation as an emerging scientist. I believe it has shaped me to enter the next chapter of my life. I could not have asked for a better internship experience to build a solid foundation for my career. As for the team, they are more than just colleagues; I rather feel being part of a loving family. I will forever cherish every memory and experience of my days on D’Arros.