Marine Mammal Observers                

As petroleum, fishing and recreational activities continue to grow in the marine environment, more now than ever human activities are causing severe disturbances to marine fauna and in particular marine mammals. This fact has been recognized by governments, resulting in the application of international and regional conventions for the protection and conservation of marine wildlife from the harmful effects of human economic activities.

In recognition of the needs for better control and protection of the marine fauna, MegaPesca Lda. with its experience in supplying Fisheries Observers to the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) has expanded its service to supply Marine Mammal Observers (MMO) on board seismic exploration and other types of fishing vessels that have close interactions with marine mammals.

Our Marine Mammal Observers have been trained by in accordance with the guidelines set down in by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the United Kingdom's government's advisors on environmental matters. The guidelines reflect the requirements of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Habitats, the EU Habitats and Species Directive 92/43/EEC and the ACSOBANS Agreement.

Training in Offshore Safety at Sea and Marine Emergencies is an important part of our training package. We require all our observers to undertake the safety courses approved by Offshore Industry Advisory Commission and their Health and Safety Commission.

Our Observers

	Tânia Diniz comes from Portugal were she qualified in Aquatic Environmental Sciences at the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences - University of Porto. At the British Antarctic Survey (Cambridge; U.K.) in 2002, she finished her thesis on environmental management involving the use of upper trophic level predators as indicators of the state of marine systems. After the conclusion of her degree, has worked at the " S.R.R.C. - Seal Rehabilitation and Research Center" Pieterburen (Holland), in 2003, the Ecofisiology Laboratory - Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR)- Porto (Portugal). More recently she has teaching environmental science at the Aguda Littoral Station - Vila Nova de Gaia - Portugal. She is now with MegaPesca and has been trained as a Marine Mammal Observer. Tânia speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish and Italian.
	Sergio Goes was born in Portugal. In 1999 he completed a Technical course in Marine Resources and Oceanography. Professional School of Marine Management and Technology. Since that time Sergio has worked in the collection of Fisheries statistical data for fisheries management, an Fisheries Observer aboard the the European Union fishing vessesl in the NAFO regulatory area and as a MMO in the Azores assuring that the tuna fishery is dolphin safe. Sergio speaks Portuguese and English and has been trained by MegaPesca as a MMO according to the JNCC guidelines.
	Inês Paixão Nunes Figueiredo was born in Cartaxo and is 26 years old. She lives in Faro, Algarve where she finished her degree in Marine Biology and Fisheries at the University of the Algarve in 2002. She did her final thesis in fish physiopathology at CCMar. Inês worked in POPA (Observation Programme for Fisheries in the Azores) as an observer aboard artisanal tuna fishing vessels in 1999 and 2003. More recently, worked for the in the Aquaculture programme at the National Institute of Investigation for fisheries and the sea) in the Offshore pilot station project. Inês speaks Portuguese and English and has been trained as a MMO for work aboard seismic vessels.
	Maria Teixeira studied Marine Biology and Fisheries at the University of Algarve, and graduated in 2002. In 1998, she worked as an observer for the POPA (Program of Fisheries Observation in Azores) and it was there that she became interested on the interaction of cetaceans with fisheries. Subsequently this became the theme of her thesis, which studied the association and interaction of dolphins with fishing gear and the mechanical and electronic devices to repel them away from fishing gear. This further encouraged her interest in marine mammals. Since that time, she has participated in several international courses and attended conventions in the biology and rehabilitation of aquatic animals and on marine mammal medicine. Maria also worked as a volunteer in the Seal Rehabilitation Centre in Pieterburen (Holland). She continues to work with Projecto Delfin and has published several articles in their magazine Delphis. In 2002, she worked for MEGAPESCA as a fisheries observer in the NRA (NAFO- Northern west Atlantic Fisheries Organisation - Regulatory Area). She is a trained Marine Mammal Observer and is registered with the JNCC.
	Robert Lee has been working in Fisheries for the last 32 years and has a Canadian Fishing Master Certificate of Competency. Over the last 20 years he has worked in Africa, the US and the Caribbean in numerous managerial positions on fisheries development projects for such organizations as the United Nations and in projects funded by the UK government. Robert is a Senior consultant at MegaPesca, trained as an MMO and leads the MMO programme at MegaPesca.

Please contact Robert@megapesca.com for inquiries and details of our work in this area