ZANZIBAR OFFICE

Jean Mensa: MARINE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Jean completed his Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences where he focused on numerical modeling of upper ocean currents. He then worked at Yale University on the dynamics of the Arctic Ocean before moving to RMS in London to work in the catastrophe modeling sector for the insurance business. After a career in academia and industry, Jean moved to Gabon to pursue his passion for marine conservation. As Marine Program Technical Advisor for the National Parks Agency of Gabon, Jean worked on a wide variety of conservation and management topics. 

Sulemani Masoud Mohamed: MARINE FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Sulemani joined WCS (Marine program) Zanzibar office in 2020 as a volunteer assistant to Marine Research Assistant. He was then taken as Marine Field Research Assistant in 2021. He supports data collection and communicates with all data collectors to update and guide them to ensure efficient and reliable data collection. He is responsible for field works, troubleshooting hardware and software issues with mobile devices and application used for data collection as well as ensuring that all data is backed up. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aquaculture from Sokoine University of Agriculture.

Abdallah Said Abdulla: MARINE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Abdalla joined WCS in 2018 and is now the principal researcher undertaking shark and ray data collection, as well as training and collating data from the project’s network of research assistants. He also participates in marine education efforts in schools and community forums. Prior to joining WCS, Abdallah worked at the Department of Agricultural Extension and Farmer Training and before that at UWAMWIMA helping organize farmer groups and provide horticultural training. He holds a Certificate and Diploma in General Agriculture from Zanzibar’s Kizimbani Agricultural Training Institute.

Jamila Said Hassan: MARINE FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Jamila joined WCS in 2020 as a volunteer under Tanzania marine program, assisting in field data collection, data entry, social surveys as well as shark and ray Species identification. She is now a marine field research assistant since 2021 working together with the marine team, responsible for field works, assists in the data entry of catch and shark and ray data and ensuring all data is backed up and submitted timely. She holds a Bachelor of science in Aquaculture from Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro.

Faki Haji Faki: MARINE JUNIOR RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Mzee Fakih joined WCS in 2018. He collects shark and ray data at Mkokotoni Landing site in Unguja which he submits weekly to Abdallah the marine research assistant.

Neema Saburi: MARINE FINANCE AND LOGISTICS OFFICER
Neema joined WCS’s country program office in 2019 as a volunteer assistant to the finance director. She was then taken on as the marine finance and logistics officer in 2020. She holds a Foundation Level certificate of accountancy from the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA) and Diploma in Business Administration from St. John’s University of Tanzania. Prior to joining WCS, she worked for two years as accounts assistant for LULU SACCOS LTD.

TANGA OFFICE

Johnson Mshana Grayson: Tanzania Trans-boundary Conservation Area Project Coordinator

Johnson Mshana joined WCS Tanzania Marine Program in 2020 as a fisheries management and conservation expert. Johnson is a passionate conservationist with ten years of experience working in complex marine and freshwater environments on the community fisheries co-management and marine protected area management. Johnson uses interdisciplinary and community-centered approaches to empower fishing communities to make informed decision-making  around fisheries management, and find alternative ways to supplement income and food sources for sustainable development. Johnson served as the Chairman of the research committee of the Deep Sea Fishing Authority Tanzania, a governmental organization responsible for scientific advice on matters related to deep-sea fisheries. Johnson has a PhD and Msc in Marine Sciences from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Ismail Saidi: Blue Carbon Project Coordinator

Ismail joined WCS Marine Program in February 2022 as the Blue Barbon Project Coordinator. He is responsible for Blue Carbon conservation work on mangrove forests and seagrass ecosystems. He holds a Master's degree in Aquaculture from James Cook University, Australia, and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Wildlife Ecology from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He has extensive experience in MPA management, mangrove forest management, collaborative fisheries management, alternative livelihood solutions for coastal communities, and diverse stakeholder engagement.

Shabani Mkwavile: MARINE FIELD ASSISTANT

Shabani Joined WCS's marine program in 2020 undertaking ecological, small scale fisheries management and leading MPA effective management efforts in the Transboundary Conservation area. He trains community, stakeholder and MPA staff on marine conservation, conducts social surveys for TBCA socio-economic, trains MPA on SMART objectives and marine monitoring protocols. Prior to joining WCS, Shabani worked with Mafia Island Marine Park under the Marine Parks and Reserves Unity as Honorary Ranger  who was among two Tanzania MPA staff expert trainers on marine monitoring certified by SMART Sea. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Heritage Management from the University of Dar es Salaam.