2023 MCAF Fellows Summit

The New England Aquarium’s Marine Conservation Action Fund (MCAF) is proud to host its second MCAF Fellow Summit in Boston this September. Join us as 14 ocean conservation leaders from 11 countries showcase their innovative work and nurture new collaborations.

MCAF Fellows are visionary, accomplished, and internationally recognized ocean conservation leaders spearheading research and community-based conservation on marine species and habitats across the globe.

Fellows Symposium

September 25 and September 26 • 2:00–4:30 p.m.
The Simons Theatre • Central Wharf, Boston, MA

MCAF Fellows will present their research and conservation work and the lessons they’ve learned in community-based conservation. Followed by audience Q&A. This event will also be available via live stream. Register at conta.cc/45g0EyF.

Day 1 Agenda:

2:00 p.m.: Welcome and Opening remarks by MCAF Director Elizabeth Stephenson

2:10 p.m.: First set of presentations, followed by audience Q&A, and panel discussion

1. Anna Oposa, Executive Director and “Chief Mermaid,” Save Philippine Seas: Good Seatizenship: The story of Save Philippines Seas
2. Daniel Fernando, Co-Founder and Director, Blue Resources Trust: Counting sharks and rays for conservation
3. Ani Henriquez, Executive Director, ProCosta: Communities and Hawksbill Turtles Conservation in El Salvador
4. Ariana McCarthy (virtual), Co-Founder and President, Costa Rican Alliance for Sea Turtles, Conservation and Science (COASTS): Conservation of sea turtles in the southern Caribbean of Costa Rica

3:25 p.m.: Second set of presentations, audience Q&A, and panel discussion

1. Andrés López, Co-Founder, Misión Tiburón: Sharks of Hope – Conservation and Community Engagement in Costa Rica
2. Lucy Keith-Diagne, PhD, Founder and Director, African Aquatic Conservation Fund: Conservation of West Africa’s rarest marine mammals
3. Tomas Diagne, Founder and Director, African Chelonian Institute: Sea turtle conservation perspectives in Senegal – West Africa: Why we need a regional approach

4:25 p.m.: Closing remarks

Day 2 Agenda:

2:00 p.m.: Welcome and Opening remarks by MCAF Director Elizabeth Stephenson

2:10 p.m.: First set of presentations, audience Q&A, and panel discussion

1. Asha de Vos, PhD, Founder and Director, Oceanswell: Exploring the Unknown – from the surfaces to the depths of Sri Lanka
2. Issah Seidu, PhD, Founder and Team Leader, AquaLife Conservancy: Conservation of Sharks in Ghana: Passion, Motivations and Impacts
3. Kerstin Forsberg, Founder and Director, Planeta Océano: Marine conservation in Peru: uniting people, ever-evolving cycles and long-term commitments
4. Francklin Barbier (virtual), Sea Turtle and Sea Bird Coordinator, Haiti Ocean Project: Protecting the endangered hawksbill sea turtle in Les Basses

3:25 p.m.: Second set of presentations, audience Q&A, and panel discussion

1. Shah Selbe (virtual), Founder, Conservify and Field Kit: Conservation Technology in a Changing World
2. Florencia Vilches, Researcher, Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas, Argentina The Power of Citizen Science in Southern Right Whale Conservation
3. Rafid Shidqi, Co-Founder and Director, Thresher Shark Indonesia: Conserving the Endangered Pelagic Thresher Sharks in Eastern Indonesia’s regions

4:25 p.m.: Closing remarks

Fellows Meet and Greet

September 26 • 10:00–11:30 a.m.
New England Aquarium • Central Wharf, Boston, MA

Ocean conservation leaders from around the globe will be stationed around the Aquarium to showcase their work to the public through hands-on activities and stories from the field. Aquarium admission required.