JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Marine Protected Area Officer
TEAM: Conservation and Fisheries
REPORTS TO: Marine Conservation Team Leader
JOB PURPOSE: To work with the Marine Conservation Team to deliver the objectives of the Ascension Island Marine Protected Area including the MPA Monitoring and Research Strategy. In particular this includes supporting inshore fisheries management through monitoring, community engagement, compliance and enforcement. The role also includes supporting project initiation, development and delivery with external research partners and collaborators. This is a highly variable role requiring resilience, enthusiasm and a strong drive to deliver conservation and management applications.
MAIN DUTIES:
- Conduct abundance, age, growth, reproduction and diet studies on marine species around Ascension Island, in particular for recreationally fished species.
- Analyse data collected from the inshore fishery to identify trends in abundance, catch effort and life history parameters. Present data to stakeholders to inform management recommendations.
- Monitor Ascension Island’s marine environment using the research methods set out in the MPA Monitoring and Research Strategy. This may include collection of sea water and plankton samples, fishing, tagging animals, video analyses and conducting eDNA metabarcoding techniques.
- Input data into databases and carry out quality assurance of data holdings.
- Enforce regulations relating to fishing activity, pollution control and biosecurity.
- Identify potential research and management projects, collaborators and funding sources that deliver the objectives of the MPA Management Plan.
- Initiate, develop and deliver work streams and projects that contribute to the MPA Management Plan objectives.
- Collaborate with external researchers and assist in other marine projects that deliver the objectives of the MPA Management Plan.
- Assist with preparing detailed reports of work conducted for donors, project partners and non-specialist audiences and produce peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
- Produce and review risk assessments for marine team activities and assist with health and safety compliance requirements.
- Shared management of the Marine/Fisheries Laboratory at the Conservation Centre in Georgetown; ensuring that it is clean, well-stocked and services the projects efficiently.
- Assist with the management and maintenance of scientific equipment, dive equipment and facilities; this includes a compressor, cylinders, regulators and BCDs, and also the maintenance of the survey vessel.
- Initiate and take part in engagement activities with the island community and school to build awareness of, and support for, marine conservation and responsible resource use.
- Publicise the MPA and the work of the AIG Marine Team locally and globally through social media
- Write regular articles for local, overseas and peer-reviewed publications.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- To undertake the main duties of the post (detailed above) to the highest possible standard.
- Work closely with other on-Island team members, and other stakeholders to complete the main duties of the post and towards a sustainable programme for marine research and conservation on Ascension Island.
- To report regularly to the Marine Conservation Team Leader, to ensure that all parties are meeting their targets and goals.
- Comply with Health and Safety at Work procedures.
- To abide by the AIGCFD data management policy with regards to responsible archiving and documentation of scientific datasets.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Essential
- A BSc (Hons) in marine biology or a related subject, or significant relevant experience in this field.
- A sound knowledge of marine conservation and fisheries biology.
- Highly self-motivated and able to initiate and deliver projects independently and as part of a team.
- SCUBA diving qualification (PADI Rescue Diver or equivalent), with significant diving experience (ideally 200+ logged dives) and an excellent awareness of dive safety (Note: Ascension Island has no re-compression chamber so responsible and conservative diving is of paramount importance).
- A full, clean driving licence.
- A good level of physical fitness and be able to work for short periods at sea, in sometimes challenging conditions.
- Must be numerate and computer literate, with a sound knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Access, Excel, Word) and statistical procedures (ideally in R).
- Good interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work effectively in a small team.
- Willing to sometimes work exten