Project Leader

Stana Mousbe

Stana Mousbe

Who I am

Born and raised in the beautiful Seychelles islands, I have always had a deep connection to and love for the ocean. Although growing up five minutes from the beach meant that I spent most of my time and days near the sea, my proper introduction to the marine realm and marine science came from the D’Arros Experience, of which I am a proud alumnus. I remember being an eager 12-year-old fascinated by the richness, bursting life and beauty of the reefs around D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll. The experience led me to decide, ‘Yes, this is exactly what I want to do’ and I’ve been working hard to achieve that goal ever since.

Where I work

As someone who has always preferred the outdoors and hands-on work, instead of doing my A-Levels – the traditional academic route in Seychelles – I chose a vocational pathway after high school. I completed an Advanced Certificate in fisheries science and fishing technology at the Seychelles Maritime Academy, whereby I gained work experience in conservation and graduated as overall best performer for my course. A two-year gap from studying followed, during which I pursued a need to explore as many islands as I could while acquiring as much knowledge as I could in the field. During this period, I returned to D’Arros Island, now as a trainee research assistant, then went on to complete my divemaster training with Blue Safari on Alphonse Island, and gain my skipper’s licence while working for Waterworld at Eden Island. These opportunities allowed me to develop a strong skill set in marine field work and validated my career choice. To further develop my expertise and contribute meaningfully to marine research and conservation, I began my university journey and am currently in the final year of my Bachelor’s degree in marine biology and oceanography at Bangor University in North Wales.

What I do

Motivated by love and appreciation for my country, I wanted to ensure my project is based in Seychelles, bringing it back to where I started with the SOSF-DRC. To ensure both components of my degree are covered, this study aims to examine how the seasonal monsoon cycle in the Indian Ocean influences the spatial distribution of sharks around D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll. Using long-term acoustic telemetry data in combination with global oceanographic datasets, this research will assess patterns of shark distribution and habitat use in relation to seasonal changes in wind and current regimes across multiple years. The findings of this study will contribute to existing knowledge of shark spatial ecology within the protected marine environment while also providing insight into the local oceanographic processes that shape reef conditions at D’Arros and St Joseph. Ultimately, the project aims to clarify how sharks respond to seasonal environmental variability and how these responses may inform effective conservation and management strategies.

My project

Project
Sharks in seasonal seas

By combining long-term biological observations with environmental data, this study will assess how seasonal and interannual variability in monsoon-driven oceanographic conditions influence fine-scale habitat use in reef-associated shark species. The project draws on 10 years (2014–2024) of acoustic telemetry detection of three threatened reef-associated shark species around D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll and combines it with corresponding wind and surface-current data that characterise the south-east and north-west monsoons in the Indian Ocean. If shark movement patterns consistently shift between reef zones in alignment with seasonal monsoon cycles and changes in wind and surface-current dynamics across multiple years, this would provide strong evidence that oceanographic processes can influence the distribution and habitat use of these species. The findings would advance our understanding of predator–environment interactions in tropical reef systems and offer valuable insights for the spatial and temporal regulation of local marine protected areas, particularly under changing climatic conditions.

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