Ocean Voices Fellow
The University of Edinburgh
Alumita Talei Sekinairai is originally from Fiji and is currently with The University of Edinburgh as an Ocean Voices Fellow doing research on developing guidelines for integrating traditional knowledge and scientific knowledge to improve Ocean Management Practices.She is also the the President of the newly developed youth group “iTaukei Women in Conservation” and has recently graduated with a Master’s of Science in Maritime Affairs from the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden. Her thesis focused on understanding human impacts on the marine environment in Fiji and is the first Option for Delivering Ecosystem-Based Marine Management (ODEMM) Conceptual Model in Fiji to have been created. Alumita has also attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Climate Change and Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from The University of the South Pacific.
Alumita has worked with the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, WWF-Pacific, The Uto Ni Yalo and Fiji Locally Managed Marine Area (FLMMA) doing projects and research in ocean, environment, maritime and climate change. She has consulted for The Asia Foundation addressing human rights concerns within the fisheries, maritime and business sectors in Fiji and Talanoa consulting with Sustainable Tourism in Fiji. She was also part of the Fiji delegation in the Resumed session for BBNJ IGC5 and was selected to be part of the first ever regional workshop on Young Pacific Leaders in Marine Sustainability that was held in Hawaii in November 2022.
Alumita is a Sasakawa Peace Foundation Fellow under the Nippon Foundation at the World Maritime University Alumni 2021 and was a part of the Student Council as the Specialisation Representative (OSGM).