Blue Pioneers Program

Hometown: Alotau Milne Bay Province (Papua New Guinea)

Currently living in: Alotau Milne Bay Province

Current job: I am a Marine Biologist and a member of the Coral Sea Foundation Sea Women of Melanesia Team. I am currently working alongside local landowners in Ginewa, North-East of Alotau Milne Bay Province on creating a locally Managed Marine Protected area with the assistance of the Coral Sea Foundation (www.coralseafoundation.net)

Biography: I graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with very strong interests in marine biology and ocean conservation. I underwent a two week turtle tagging monitoring program facilitated by the Conflicts Island Conservation Initiative in Milne Bay Province, tagging and monitoring the populations of endangered hawksbill turtles, taking genetic samples, egg relocation and turtle biology (https://www.cici.net.au/single-post/2018/12/17/GUEST-BLOG—Martha-Eimba-Marine-Science-student-at-University-of-Papua-New-Guinea). I am a certified PADI open water diver and a member of the Sea Women of Melanesia Team established by the Coral Sea Foundation (www.coralseafoundation.net) which empowers young PNG women with scuba diving and coral reef science and survey skills to help them take a lead role in community engagement and the creation of marine reserves at the grassroots level.

What Interests you about the Blue Pioneers Program?: The thing that interests me most about the Blue Pioneers program is that it engages learners who seek actionable strategies. I come from a country where more than 70% of women are assaulted in their lifetime and systematic discrimination against women is present throughout the political and educational systems and as a woman it has been very difficult trying to address issues such as climate change, plastic pollution and the importance and benefits of preserving marine ecosystems at the grass root level. I see myself as an engaging learner and the Blue Pioneers Program provides an opportunity for innovative learners to meet and learn from the experiences of others who share the same passion for ocean conservation, equipping them with the necessary skills to take on lead roles in their respective communities or countries. Women like me can learn how to approach and overcome ocean conservation issues from different angles using various actionable strategies. Blue Pioneers Program is not gender biased and provides equal opportunity for all.