An Interview – Pascoal Bernardo Nhamússua

This week on ‘An Interview with WiseOceans’ we spoke with Pascoal Bernardo Nhamússua, Community Outreach Manager with Love the Oceans.

Name: Pascoal Bernardo Nhamússua

Role: Community Outreach Manager

Company: Love the Oceans

Top Tip: Work with love and believe in your potential

Quick Fire Questions

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in marine conservation?

Before I started working at Love The Oceans I used to visit the ocean regularly. I loved seeing the amazing variety of sea animals that the local fishermen were catching. I found it interesting and enjoyed it.

2. What steps did you take or are you currently taking to achieve your career goals?

At the moment I‘m learning to dive. I’m aiming to learn more marine activities and learn more about marine life through online courses.

3. How did you obtain your current position?

In July 2015 I was at the beach and I met the Managing Director and Founder of Love The Oceans who was looking for someone who could translate and help her to communicate with the community and work with volunteers at the schools. I enjoyed it and I have been with Love The Oceans ever since.

4. Which part of your job do you enjoy the most?  

My job is not as easy as it seems, because not only do I translate, I also build relationships and ensure cultural understanding. I think my work is extremely important for the community and maybe for the world because I work with people of all races and children from 4 to 18 years old. I work to give everyone the chance to take action to protect the sea.

5. Are there aspects of your position which make you feel that you are really ‘making a difference’?

Our work in the local community has created positive change. Although it has not been a radical change, our work is welcomed in the community. The type of work that we do gives hope to the community and contributes to education about marine life and the protection of animals, to restore the structure of the marine world in view of the massive destruction that has occurred in recent years.

6. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were starting out?

I don’t know if there’s anything I wish I knew before, because I didn’t know what to expect. But I’m always learning from everyone I’ve worked with, whilst keeping Mozambique culture at the heart of what I do. Now my life is a school, for me and everyone around me: I’m always learning.

7. Are there any skills you never thought you would need but did?

Before I started working with Love The Oceans I didn’t think I could be a science teacher and I would have as much knowledge about marine life and animal protection as I do in my profession now.

8. What advice would you give to budding marine conservationists?

We must work with love and believe in our potential. We must do our best in our work to help marine life and achieve our objectives of protecting the oceans.

9. What is your favourite marine creature and why?

The Whale Shark. It’s a huge and incredible animal that gives me a massive desire to see and swim with it again.

10. What is your most unforgettable moment in the sea?

My first time at sea will stay with me forever. It’s very difficult to compare another happy and special moment like that, because all the other times you go into the ocean and see incredible things, is because you took that first step and went into the sea the first time.

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