CAREERS & VOLUNTEERING

Fisheries & Policy Manager

Deadline = 23 June 2026

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist and conservationist to join our team as Fisheries & Policy Manager, who shares our vision of a sustainable future for the oceans, where manta rays and their relatives thrive in healthy, diverse marine ecosystems.

The Manta Trust is a UK-registered charity formed to conserve manta and devil rays through research, education, and collaboration. The Fisheries & Policy Manager will join the conservation programmes team at the heart of our global network, working to support 32 affiliated projects in over 27 countries.

The successful candidate will form an integral part of our team, managing two Fisheries and Policy Coordinators and working under the guidance of the Director of Conservation Programmes and Chief Executive. The successful candidate will drive critical work identified in the Manta Trust’s Five-Year Plan, specifically actions contributing to:

• Goal 1 — retained bycatch and targeted catch of manta and devil rays by fisheries is reduced.

• Goal 2 — discarded bycatch and entanglement of manta and devil rays by fisheries is reduced.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to make a measurable difference in fisheries management and conservation policy. They will join the conservation programmes team that forms the backbone of the Manta Trust global network: a close-knit, innovative, and international team, focused on delivering a sustainable future for some of the ocean’s most charismatic inhabitants.

This is a full-time (approx. 35 hours/week), home-based consultancy (self-employed) role. Candidates must be able to work primarily within CET/GMT working hours. Remuneration is £19–21 per hour dependent on experience. Initial contract length: 12 months.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in a related field (e.g., marine biology, conservation science, environmental policy).

• Experience working in conservation policy and/or fisheries management.

• Experience publishing (as lead author) peer-review scientific articles.

• Detailed understanding of the conservation issues the Manta Trust is working to tackle, and of relevant institutions (e.g., RFMOs, CITES, CMS, etc.).

• Team and project management experience.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, including confidence presenting to a range of stakeholders.

• Highly organised with strong time management skills; able to manage a varied workload independently and as part of a team.

• Fluent in spoken and written English.

• Fully computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Office and common statistical packages.

Desirable Attributes

• Confident public speaker.

• Fluency in other languages relevant to the Manta Trust’s key projects (ideally French).

Roles and Responsibilities

Leading the efforts of the Manta Trust’s Fisheries & Policy Team in:

• Global fisheries management and policy measures for mobulid rays.

• The Manta Trust’s work towards achieving improved conservation legislation for mobulid rays.

• Liaising with RFMOs and national fisheries organisations to improve mobulid ray fisheries bycatch data collection, catch mitigation measures, and safe handling and release techniques.

• Developing collaborations and managing relationships with other NGOs involved in international shark and ray fisheries and conservation policy work, and other partners, donors, and stakeholders.

• Collaborating with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of legislation for mobulid rays in range states.

• Supporting the coordination of the West & Central Africa Elasmobranch Coalition.

• Representing the Manta Trust at conventions, conferences, and public events.

• Running mobulid fisheries conservation management training workshops.

• Creating, improving, translating, and disseminating mobulid ray field guides, species identification keys, and other field research and data collection materials.

• Leading and contributing authorship of peer-reviewed scientific publications, reports, and conservation proposals on mobulid fisheries, policy, and trade.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter (no more than two pages) explaining your suitability for the role to: fisheriespolicy@mantatrust.org.

Please include “F&P Manager Application” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and we encourage early submission.

The closing date for applications is TBC. Please check www.mantatrust.org for the confirmed date. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal Opportunities

The Manta Trust is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding

The Manta Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals associated with our work.

We don’t have any other job opportunities at this time. Please sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media to keep up to date with the latest opportunities.

We don’t have any internship opportunities at this time. Please sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media to keep up to date with the latest opportunities.

If you are a Maldivian interested in future internship opportunities with our Maldives Manta Conservation Programme, we invite you to register your interest. Full details and information on how to get involved can be found via the link below.

PERU MOBULID CONSERVATION & MONITORING PROJECT

Volunteer Research Assistant (x2)

Peru Mobulid Conservation & Monitoring Project
Ref: #PERU2026

Application Deadline: 30 June 2026

The Peru Mobulid Conservation & Monitoring Project is seeking two volunteers to support ongoing mobulid conservation and monitoring work based in Zorritos, Tumbes, on the northern coast of Peru.

The project focuses on boat-based manta ray monitoring, photo-identification, and fieldwork related to devil rays. Additional activities include fisheries monitoring, biological data collection, and engagement with local fishing communities.

Location:

Zorritos, Tumbes, Peru

Project Duration:

Approximately July/August 2026 – March 2027

Commitment:

Minimum six-month commitment preferred

Time Requirement:

Approximately 20 hours per week

Activities Include:

• Boat-based manta ray monitoring

• Manta ray photo-identification

• Devil ray fieldwork

• Fisheries monitoring

• Biological data collection

• Engagement with local fishing communities

Requirements:

• Background in marine biology, fisheries, conservation, or a related field

• Experience with fieldwork and biological data collection

• Spanish language skills

• Freediving certification (entry-level certification is sufficient)

• Ability to freedive to a maximum depth of approximately 5 metres while assisting with manta ray monitoring and photo-identification activities

What is Provided:

• Accommodation

• Meals

• All expenses related to fieldwork and manta monitoring activities

Volunteers will also have the flexibility to continue working remotely on other projects if needed.

How to Apply

Please send:

• CV

• Cover Letter (maximum 1 page)

To: stefany@mantatrust.org

Subject line: Volunteer Research Assistant Application #PERU2026 [Your Name]

Application deadline: 30 June 2026

Due to capacity constraints, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are a young person, aged 13-17, you might be interested in applying for our Ocean Ambassadors programme. Find full details and information on how to apply through the link below.