In Conversation with Nina Sanchez
The Marine Conservationist on Sustainable Fisheries, Mangrove Restoration, and Integrating Local Knowledge into Science
Nina Sanchez serves as the Initiative Coordinator for The Bahamas at Bonefish and Tarpon Trust. Her passion for marine conservation was ignited by her upbringing in The Bahamas. "Growing up in Grand Bahama surrounded by water, and being scuba certified by the age of ten, I developed a deep connection with the ocean early on," Sanchez recalls. She began her academic journey focusing on Coral Conservation during her university years, but eventually shifted her focus to Sustainable Fisheries. "My interest evolved as I studied the interaction between people and the environment, exploring how we can better manage these spaces to balance the needs of our communities, economy, and natural habitats."
In 2019, Hurricane Dorian struck The Bahamas, devastating approximately 74% of the mangroves in Grand Bahama and 40% in Abaco. Recognizing the crucial role mangroves play in safeguarding land and mitigating wave energy, Nina was determined to spearhead restoration efforts. Her daily activities are centered around these restoration projects, driven by her commitment to protecting her island. "We must safeguard our natural resources and educate ourselves on how to minimize our impact on mangroves," she emphasizes. Nina Sanchez advocates for widespread education on the significance of mangroves, believing that increased knowledge fosters greater appreciation and protection. "The more informed we are about these ecosystems, the more inspired we will be to preserve and cherish them."
In her work with students and on field trips, Nina often witnesses the excitement children experience when they encounter wildlife, such as spotting a bird or catching a bonefish. This enthusiasm and sense of wonder at the natural world is something she can deeply relate to as it mirrors her own childhood experiences that inspired her career path. She says, “I find this aspect of my work incredibly rewarding.”
Nina’s role extends beyond working with children to engaging with adults who share a similar connections to the environment. Adults also experience excitement and are inspired by success stories, such as the achievements of the mangrove restoration projects. She says, “Observing the restoration crew's proficiency and independence in their tasks is inspiring, as these individuals no longer require guidance and know exactly what needs to be done.”
Science plays a crucial role at Bonefish and Tarpon Trust where their mission statement is “Bringing Science to the Fight.” While personal observations of natural events can signal the need for action, it is through scientific research that these observations are quantified, documented, and communicated to policymakers to advocate for necessary changes. Nina emphasizes the importance of integrating both Western scientific methods and Local Fisheries Ecological Knowledge (LFEK’s), which includes the insights of local fishers. Although these fishers may not measure environmental changes with precision, their long-term observations and experiences are invaluable for understanding ecological shifts.
Their approach to engaging with stakeholders includes working with government agencies, NGOs, student groups, and bonefish guides, among others. In a small island developing nation, reaching out to all relevant parties is essential, and educating stakeholders through the Best Handling Practices program, for example. “Bonefish fishery in The Bahamas is a catch and release fishery, but just because the fish is caught and released doesn’t mean that it’s going to survive”. Hence, they educate guides on techniques to improve fish survival post-catch, such as reducing fight time and avoiding handling fish with dry hands.
Reflecting on her experience, Nina Sanchez acknowledged that her initial studies in biology were challenging and learning about past events with often negative outcomes could be discouraging. After two years in the field, however, she finds joy in her work, whether it involves long hours of fieldwork or participating in recreational activities. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and enjoyment in her work environment. “I still play where I work. I can spend all day working in the field with students during the most gruesome work bonefish spawning, or all night, but at the end of the day whenever I have my free time to go outside again, I want to go back into these areas. When you still play in these areas, I think it reminds you of you of the reason that you started in the first place.”
Nina Sanchez offers valuable advice on maintaining a balanced approach to conservation work. She suggests, "If you’re studying coral, take the time to enjoy recreational scuba diving as well. Ensure that not every dive you log is solely for restoration or tactical purposes; it’s important to have fun." She further emphasizes, "Similarly, when engaging in activities like measuring or planting mangroves, make an effort to include recreational pursuits such as paddleboarding, kayaking, or birdwatching. These activities help to keep the experience enjoyable and remind us of the beauty of The Bahamas. Despite the global challenges of climate change and widespread environmental destruction, The Bahamas is fortunate to still possess many pristine and intact environments to behold and preserve.”
Find Nina on Instagram @nssanchez2426.
Waynesha Thompson is a student intern at The University of The Bahamas, pursing her bachelor's degree in Small Island Sustainability: Environmental and Ecosystems Management: Marine Science. She is a creative who is passionate about learning, exploring and capturing moments of climate justice, environmental sustainability and sharing her knowledge with the public. She has created videos for The Bimini Shark Lab, The Science Club and The UB Conservation Conclave. She has participated in mangrove plantings and beach clean-ups. She hopes to use her creativity to infuse the world with the importance of climate justice.