Flavio Mayorga

A long-held dream of working with the sea and protecting its resources inspired Flavio’s academic and professional journey in Marine Biology.

Over two decades have passed since a dream started to form in my head when I was visiting the Galapagos Islands. This marvellous biodiversity hot spot, swarming with land and marine life, is part of Ecuador, my country of birth. It was then that I realised what I wanted to do for a career. Thanks to the support of my family, I travelled to New Zealand and completed my tertiary education in Marine Biology. Right from the start life here has given me a taste of what the submerged environment looks like. The undergraduate part of my studies broadened my view and knowledge of natural resources and the biological world. I developed my critical thinking skills and increased my knowledge of the underwater world through field trips, which showed me the beauty and complexity of the marine world from up close.

A sombre facet was to learn in detail how resources are being depleted all over the world with little consideration for life; with this came the realisation of the need to preserve it. My Master of Marine Conservation at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington was a launching platform from which to consider how I might work in a practical way within the field of the marine environment.

After I completed my studies, I obtained temporary work at the Department of Conservation (DOC). This allowed me to see how conservation works from the political point of view, thus complementing my academic study. I used my academic skills to contribute to the data management of New Zealand marine mammals’ databases and was part of a team that worked towards maintaining the health of these species. At DOC I saw the passion that conservationists put into their work for the environment, and this has further increased my determination to help preserve the oceans.

I then moved sectors and found another government job, as a fisheries observer at the Ministry for Primary Industries. The role of observer is much more hands on, and I get to live life at sea on board fishing vessels. From three-day to three-month long trips, I enjoy the variety of boats I have the privilege to work on and their different environments. On board I have a direct glimpse of which fish live in the vast ocean. This front-line position gives me the chance to explore and grow my passion to support the marine environment; through the work and the data collected we facilitate improvements in fisheries methods, providing room for more sustainable practices. A definite highlight of this job is the possibility to navigate to the icy waters of the Ross Sea in Antarctica, which has been a dream of mine for a long time.

I would recommend Marine Biology to those who have passion for the ocean and have its survival at heart. An increasing global awareness of the need to preserve the precious resources of our world would generate further jobs and opportunities in this field.