About Us

Fadhili Malesa is a marine scientist and conservationist with over nine years of professional experience. He has worked extensively across regional and international conservation arenas since graduating and continues to do so while pursuing his PhD in Fisheries and Climate Change. His expertise spans the research–policy interface, regional programme development, and active involvement in major international marine research initiatives. Alongside key scientific publications, his work focuses on coastal habitat connectivity, fisheries productivity, ecosystem resilience, and the modelling of climate‑driven ecological change. Fadhili is a member of the academic staff at the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and the Cofounder and Chairperson of Action For Ocean (AFO). He is a Nippon Foundation/GEBCO Ocean Mapping Scholar at the University of New Hampshire (USA) and a recipient of the NERCfunded GW4+ Doctoral Training Partnership PhD award at the University of Exeter, where he is hosted at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, United Kingdom (UK). His technical skills include spatial modelling, machine learning for ecological analysis, geospatial decision support tools, and remote sensing applications for habitat mapping and climate risk indicators. With extensive field experience across Western Indian Ocean ecosystems, he is committed to supporting sustainable fisheries, climate adaptation, and the resilience of marine socialecological systems.

Emmanuel began his professional career in 2016 as a founding member and the first Deputy Executive Secretary at Aqua Farm Organization. Since then, he has consistently offered invaluable technical support, document reviews, and advisory role. He then joined Sea Sense where he worked for 6 years on marine wildlife conservation. In 2022 Emmanuel joined the Nature Conservancy as a Marine Spatial Planning Coordinator of the United Republic of Tanzania (CLICK HERE) including Mainland and Zanzibar. He provides technical support and implementation of the Africa Ocean Protection and Resilience Strategy. Emmanuel works closely with the Africa Fisheries Team, the GIS regional team, the TNC Africa Oceans Strategy, and the Global Oceans Team. He supports the development of the Stakeholder Engagement Strategy for the MSP and Blue Economy and the cultivation of diplomatic relationships with the government and Blue Economy development partners and donors. Emmanuel oversees the scoping study of the MSP, which includes policy, legal, and institutional analysis, and spatial data. He provides technical advice and scientific support on the development of the National Blue Economy, the Africa Fisheries Strategy, and ecosystem mapping. Emmanuel has diversified knowledge on fisheries-related scientific principles and practices, research, analysis, and writing, capacity building, project cycle management and community-conservation-based projects. He actively supports the project implementation of the USAID funded project and fundraising for and climate change resilience for marine biodiversity conservation. He holds a primary focus in Marine Spatial Planning, Sustainable Blue Economy, nature bonds, blue carbon, FishPath approach, fisheries co-management, large scale fisheries through electronic monitoring and community-based conservation among others. Emmanuel holds a B.Sc. in Aquatic Science and Fisheries and MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing, both from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Prisca John Issangya is an accomplished aquatic scientist with vast experience in the fields of marine biology, fisheries, and conservation. She has a master's degree in marine biology from Zhejiang Ocean University and has worked in various capacities in these fields for over six years. Prisca has a passion for working with communities, particularly women, and believes that they play a vital role in the fisheries sector, even though their contributions often go unrecognized. She is an advocate for capacity building among women, which she believes is crucial to improving coastal livelihoods and ensuring the sustainable use of aquatic resources. Her experience working as a researcher at the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute and as a Senior Technical Support Engineer at Microsoft (Wicresoft) in China has equipped her with technical skills that are crucial in driving change in the fisheries sector. Prisca is a visionary leader who believes in the power of education, mentorship, and partnerships to achieve sustainable development in the fisheries sector.

Nancy Iraba is an award-winning marine scientist holding a Master of Science in Marine Sciences, a coral reef restoration expert, Divemaster, National Geographic Explorer, One Young World Ambassador, and Kinship Fellow. At Action For Ocean she serves as Underwater Program Lead, championing underwater ecosystems monitoring and building capacity for aspiring conservationists, storytellers, and filmmakers through Tanzania Dive Labs. She is passionate about bridging the gap between scientific findings and public understanding of marine conservation. Through her work, Nancy has been featured in local newspapers and won the Hidden Eco-heroine Award in 2017, was recognised as an upcoming woman in marine sciences by the Next Einstein Forum in 2019, and named among 100 Tanzanian Sheroes in 2020. She is also a 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow — a U.S. Government program for young African leaders making impact in their communities. Nancy believes that investing in capacity-building young people with underwater skills is the ultimate move towards unlocking innovation for sustainable oceans, especially in developing countries.

John Kimaro is a marine biologist and conservation practitioner with extensive experience in Tanzania’s marine and freshwater ecosystems. He co-founded the Action for Ocean (AFO), where he led conservation of mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs while supporting coastal community livelihoods, including women seaweed farmers and women fishmongers. John also served with WWF Tanzania in the SOKNOT landscape, advancing community-led protection of the Mara Wetlands and sustainable freshwater resource management. He currently serves as the Fisheries and Biodiversity Lead for The Nature Conservancy’s Lake Tanganyika Program, working with governments and partners across four riparian countries to strengthen sustainable fisheries management and protect rare species and critical habitats. John brings strong expertise in community-driven conservation and ecosystem restoration."

Valeli Bugota is a marine scientist and conservation professional with over eight years of experience in marine and coastal resource management in Tanzania. He is Co-founder of Action For Ocean (AFO), leading community-driven, science-based conservation initiatives across coastal seascapes. He holds an MSc in Marine Sciences and a BSc in Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries from the University of Dar es Salaam. His expertise includes mangrove conservation, fisheries co-management, conservation genetics, marine spatial planning, and inclusive blue economy approaches. Valeli has contributed to national strategies on marine turtle conservation and mangrove management, and currently serves as Project Officer at WWF Tanzania, managing donor-funded programs and stakeholder partnerships.

Edwin Superius is a Marine Scientist based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Co-founder of Aqua-Farms Organization, and currently Project coordinator of Voluntary Blue Carbon Credit at Aqua-Farms Organization. He holds a Master's in Marine Biology from Zhejiang Ocean University China and a Bachelor's in Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries from the University of Dar es Salaam. He has worked in Marine conservation for over five years and is skilled and experienced in marine and freshwater ecosystem conservation; (particularly mangrove ecosystems), fish farming, feed extrusion, fish nutrition, feed management, Blue carbon, and Research. He is interested mainly in the Co-management of Marine resources and how it continues to influence the perception of immediate resource users (coastal communities) conservation and sustainable use of these resources. Edwin attended several pieces of training and conferences including Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit and Our Ocean Conference in Panama, Ocean Research in SA Agulhas II offered by IIOE -UNESCO and The Department of Environmental Affairs of South Africa, Aquaculture Feed Extrusion, Nutrition, & Feed Management provided by Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station and Hatchery Management and Seed Production Training for Sustainable Fish Farming Training Course Offered by AFH, in collaboration with WISSH and US State Department.

Alex Mafuru is a Marine Scientist and Spatial data analyst (Demersal fauna diversity) finalizing his master's study at the Institute of Marine Science (UDSM), he has vast experience in analyzing spatial data on biodiversity including an internship attending in South Africa at Oceanographic Research Institute and international workshop held of Nairobi 2022. He holds a bachelor's degree in aquatic science and fisheries at the University of Dar es Salaam with diverse knowledge of aquatic science and fisheries including capture and culture fisheries and conservation with multicultural experience during his work over 6 years. As a Technical Advisor, Alex performs proposal write-ups for fund requests, reaching the community and students at schools and coordinating workshops aimed at inspiring a sense of wonder and connection to the ocean, fostering a deeper understanding of its fragile nature and the urgent need to protect and preserve it for future generations. Alex focuses on promoting a sense of responsibility, action, and stewardship towards the oceans, encouraging individuals to make informed choices that contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of our precious marine environments.

Kaitira Benard is an aquatic scientist with five years of field experience, serving as a Founding Member and Technical Advisor at Action For Ocean (AFO). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries from the University of Dar es Salaam (2017), where his final-year research focused on the socioeconomic dimensions of small-scale fishing communities. Kaitira is a member of the Western Indian Ocean Early Career Scientists Network (WIOECN) and the Tanzania Fisheries and Aquatic Environmental Organization (TAFAEO), and is a Nature, Environment, Wildlife and Filmmakers (NEWF) Fellow. He is also a certified Advanced Open Water Diver. Much of his work is rooted in coastal communities, where he engages local stakeholders in the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources. He has hands-on experience in the management of critical coastal habitats — including mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs — through community-based approaches. Kaitira's vision is to protect and sustainably manage marine and freshwater ecosystems across Africa through conservation, capacity building, and advancing the blue economy.

Jerry Geoffrey Mang'ena is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Action For Ocean (AFO), a youth-led conservation nonprofit headquartered in Dar es Salaam with regional offices in Kilwa and Tanga. He holds a Master of Science in Marine Biology from the University of Dar es Salaam and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA in Conservation Business at the African Leadership University. His work sits at the intersection of community-led fisheries governance, ocean restoration, and inclusive blue economy development. Under his leadership, AFO has engaged over 13,000 coastal community members, restored more than 70 hectares of marine ecosystems, and co-created the Africa Fair Seaweed Finance Facility — a blended finance initiative targeting USD 50 million to scale climate-smart seaweed farming across the Western Indian Ocean. Jerry is a Mandela Washington Fellow, Segal Family Foundation African Visionary Fellow, Climate Reality Leader, and NEWF Fellow. He has spoken at the IUCN World Conservation Congress and co-authored peer-reviewed research in Ocean and Coastal Management.