Hi Everyone,

Meet Zeddy Seymour, our new Assistant Project Manager for our Cape Verde project!

In May of this year I will be starting as assistant project manager in the Cape Verde. I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those of you I haven’t met in person.

I have been interested in turtles ever since I first met one whilst snorkelling in Hawaii as a child. It was a simple experience but one that has profoundly affected my life. I feel extremely privileged to be able to work in an area that I feel so passionate about, and fortunate to be part of an organisation that I truly believe in. I hope to continue to develop the great work that Turtle Foundation has done in Cape Verde so far and  to  build upon this, particularly within the community.

Having spent the last two seasons in Boa Vista, first as camp coordinator of Lacacão and then last year responsible for Geomar’s data collection, I feel I have developed an understanding of the island’s ecology and community that will help me to do so. On the other hand, my previous experience working in Mozambique and Latin America will also be useful, as will my qualifications.

I have BA in Latin American Studies from the University of Leeds, a degree that allowed me to study the Portuguese language in depth, and which consequently has been fundamental to my understanding, and appreciation, of the Lusophonic world and its’ cultures. However, I never lost touch with nature and my desire to work towards achieving a better and more sustainable balance. As a result I went on to read
an MSc in Conservation and Biodiversity at the University of Exeter. During this degree I was lucky enough to work with Doctor Rachel Graham and Professor Brendan Godley, both of whom were fundamental in developing my understanding of the situation in the seas, and as a result, instrumental in my decision to pursue a career in marine conservation.

It is the mixture of a Lushophone environment and marine conservation that I feel most suits me. I look forward to the new challenges, expanding my knowledge of kriolu and strengthening the link between conservation and the local community. I really look forward to working with you and to bringing my dog, Frida, back to her homeland!

All the best,
Zeddy Seymour