Love The Oceans is powered by a small but mighty team, driven by a passion for science, education, community and ocean conservation working together for a healthier ocean. Every person here plays a vital role in driving holistic conservation efforts in Jangamo Bay.
Love The Oceans Leadership
FRANCESCA TROTMAN
MANAGING DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER
Francesca Trotman is the Managing Director and Founder of Love The Oceans. An avid diver for over 15 years Francesca’s a passionate ocean advocate, with a special interest in fisheries. Results orientated, Francesca constantly encourages people to consider conservation in everyday life and take a greener approach to modern living. She oversees the majority of the programs in country and spends her time split between the UK and Mozambique. She does talks on behalf of Love The Oceans and our work around the globe and is the recipient of the Ocean Award in the Young Initiative category. Francesca is currently completing her PhD remotely with Newcastle University, UK. She is a member of University of Leeds’ Biology Advisory Board, mentors students through their Biomentor program and is a One Young World Ambassador. Francesca has recently published a paper on marine protected area effectiveness which you can read here. Watch a recent interview with Francesca here.
ANDREA BIDEN
NON-EXEC DIRECTOR
Andrea Biden is a Director of Love The Oceans. Holding a Masters in Environmental Management and Sustainability from Harvard, she is a former Partner at a London based strategic sustainability consultancy Irbaris LLP, and was Head of Sustainability with Zurich Insurance Group. Andrea is passionate about corporate and community coastal environment responsibility having grown up on the beautiful beaches of Australia. A strong proponent of community-based marine protected area programmes, Andrea believes in the partnership and placement of local people at the forefront of the planning, implementation and running of marine reserves, providing a sense of ownership and pride in natural resources.
PASCOAL NHAMÚSSUA
COMMUNITY OUTREACH MANAGER
Pascoal is Love The Oceans’ Community Outreach Manager. He leads our community outreach projects including ocean literacy in local schools, community conservation workshops, our Sustainable Fishing Project, our Ocean Conservation Champion program and our swimming program. Born and raised in the Jangamo area, Pascoal has been with the organisation from the start and has been hugely influential, shaping our community outreach. A confident public speaker, fluent in Bitonga, Portuguese and English, and fully committed to LTO’s mission, Pascoal is a key team member of Love The Oceans Senior Management. Pascoal was a finalist for Blue Marine Foundation and BOAT International’s 2022 Local Hero Ocean Award. Pascoal is the first ever Mozambique citizen to qualify as a STA Swimming Teacher and he also has his PADI Advanced Scuba qualifications. Watch a short award-winning documentary on Pascoal’s journey with the ocean here.
in-country staff
JOANA BATALHA
MARINE PROGRAM COORDINATOR
YUDMILA CHUNGUANE
CORAL BIOLOGIST
An experienced marine biologist from Mozambique, Yudmila heads up our coral research. With an MSc in Conservation Biology and Ecology from Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo she has been part of a wide range of conservation projects working with different ecosystems and species across Mozambique. She is a Darwin200 Leader, a Conservation Nation Grantee and a PADI Rescue diver with a special interest in coral ecosystems and how they relate to food security in Jangamo. From the genetics and morphology of coral reefs, to predicting the effects of ocean acidification on marine life, Yudmila is a key member of the Love The Oceans core team, working to protected the marine life in Jangamo Bay using a holistic strategy. Read a recent article Yudmila wrote on gender equity and ocean access here.
BENTO ARMANDO
FIELD ASSISTANT
Bento is a LTO Field Assistant and initially joined us through our Ocean Conservation Champion Program (OCC). After joining our swimming program at age 17, with his determined and dedicated attitude he progressed quickly to our advanced swimming class. He enrolled in our OCC program, learning English, finishing high school, completing his PADI Advanced Scuba certification. Bento is now a qualified swimming teacher and lifeguard helping coordinate our swim program with Pascoal and teaching children to swim. Bento’s enthusiasm for the ocean is crucial in his work with Love The Oceans and influences everyone surrounding him. Recently, Bento featured in a short film about his journey with swimming and the importance of swimming as a tool for ocean conservation in our area. It’s won over 23 awards and been screened around the world. You can watch the documentary called Peixhino (little fish) on YouTube here.
MARIO GUILAMBA
STORYTELLER AND FIELD ASSISTANT
Mario is our Storyteller and a graduate from our Ocean Conservation Champion Program (OCC). After attending our marine resource management lessons in his free periods, Mario joined our swimming program as a teenager and quickly moved through the ranks and joined our OCC program. Through Love The Oceans Mario has now become the first qualified PADI Divemaster in the district and assists on all of LTO’s scientific projects. Mario is passionate about photography and film and loves to spend time behind the lens. Born and raised in our local area with close family members in the fishing community, he’s uniquely positioned to tell the stories of the community and LTO’s conservation efforts and share these with the world. Read a recent blog Mario wrote for PADI here.
Luísa Rafael
Field Assistant and Swim Teacher
Luísa joined Love The Oceans through our Sea Her gender equity project, where she first learned to swim. Showing exceptional determination and natural ability, she progressed from beginner to qualified swim teacher within a year. Since then, Luísa has completed her PADI Open Water and Advanced certifications and is steadily building her confidence in the water to take on more underwater research activities. Along with Helena, Luísa is the first woman in her district to become a scuba diver or swim teacher. Born and raised in the Jangamo community, Luísa returned to high school as an adult to complete her education and is now working toward her dream of becoming a marine biologist. She has completed six months of LTO’s Ocean School and now works as a Field Assistant supporting fisheries research, turtle patrols, and other scientific projects. Luísa also coordinates our weekly women’s swimming program and teaches both women’s and children’s lessons alongside Helena.
Eman El-Mousa
2026 EXPEDITION LEADER
Eman is a 2026 Expedition Leader and will be leading LTO's Marine Professional Development Programs in June and July. She's a marine scientist with 5+ years of field research experience across the Maldives, Seychelles, Indonesia, and Honduras. Holding an MSc in Marine Environmental Management with Distinction from the University of Exeter, she has a strong passion for science-driven conservation and a proven track record of delivering rigorous field research early in her career. Eman has conducted research across tropical coral reefs, marine protected areas, and open-ocean environments, and is an experienced researcher, environmental monitor, and team leader. While her particular expertise lies in coral reef health, her curiosity stretches across the full breadth of ocean science - from sharks and marine megafauna to fisheries management and coastal ecosystems. A PADI dive instructor, surfer, and sea swimmer, Eman has always felt deeply connected to the ocean and naturally drawn to hands-on conservation work in the field. She is passionate about using evidence-based research to inform real conservation action, and about communicating science in ways that engage and inspire both local communities and the next generation of marine scientists.
Imran Kanga
2026 Expedition Dive Instructor
Imran is a 2026 Dive Instructor, delivering courses to people on our expeditions as well as community members and contributing to all our projects. Imran has been diving recreationally for over 25 years and fell in love with the underwater world from his very first dive. After a 15-year career in sales and marketing, he decided to follow his passion for the ocean and transition into the world of diving and marine conservation. As a dive instructor with Love The Oceans, he hopes to inspire others to connect with the marine environment while helping raise awareness about the importance of protecting our oceans for future generations.
Rafael Américo
Field Assistant & Sustainable Fishing Project Monitor
Rafa has been a key part of Love The Oceans’ Sustainable Fishing Project since its inception. He coordinates the daily guard rota, equipment use, catch compliance reports and fisheries data collection from the project. His reliability and attention to detail make him one of our strongest data collectors. Recently, Rafa joined LTO’s swim program to build his confidence in the water and expand his future involvement in marine research. His commitment to learning new skills and supporting sustainable fishing practices makes him an invaluable member of the team.
Helena Artur
Swim Teacher and Sea Her project team
Helena joined Love The Oceans through our Sea Her project and quickly emerged as one of its strongest swimmers. She completed her PADI Open Water and Advanced certifications and trained as a swim teacher, now teaching our women’s and children’s swimming lessons each week. Along with Luísa, Helena is the first woman in her district to become a scuba diver or swim teacher. A graduate of LTO’s six-month Ocean School program, Helena is passionate about storytelling and aspires to become a nature journalist. Her enthusiasm for marine conservation, paired with her growing skill set in the water, makes her a valued member of our education and capacity-building team. Helena continues to build her confidence in the water as she becomes more involved in our marine research.
Márcia Artur
2025 Ocean Conservation Champion
Márcia is one of the top-performing students at her school and is our 2025 Ocean Conservation Champion - an internship program Love The Oceans has for kids in the area to gain more experience. As a young adult still completing her studies, she has already shown strong leadership potential and a commitment to marine conservation. Through the OCC program, Márcia has learned to swim, completed our Ocean School, participated actively in our gender equity initiatives, and consistently demonstrates passion, discipline, and curiosity. We are excited to support her continued growth within Love The Oceans and to see where her path in conservation leads.
Eugénio Nhauche
Expedition chef
Eugénio is Love The Oceans’ chef and the heart of the kitchen. Trained in food and beverage service, he brings skill, creativity, and warmth to every meal he prepares. Eugénio joined the team for the full 2025 season, cooking dinner each evening for staff, visiting students, and program participants. Born and raised in the Jangamo area, Eugenio is deeply committed to supporting the local community, aligned with Love The Oceans. Eugénio designs menus that highlight Mozambican flavours and rely on locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. He works hard to create inclusive meals that cater to a wide range of dietary needs, ensuring everyone feels welcomed and well looked after. Known for his kindness and calm presence, Eugénio is an essential member of the LTO family and plays a big role in making our base feel like home.
Luís Rafael
Sustainable Fishing Project Team
Luís is a valued member of Love The Oceans’ Sustainable Fishing Project team. He has been working with the organisation for several years, supporting the day-to-day implementation of sustainable fishing activities in Jangamo Bay. Luís plays an important role in safeguarding project equipment, supporting kayak-based fishing operations, and ensuring that resources used by the community are cared for and respected. Born and raised in the local area, Luís has a strong connection to the coastline and a deep understanding of the rhythms of daily fishing life in Jangamo. His consistency, reliability, and commitment to the project make him a trusted presence within the team. Through his work, Luís helps enable the transition toward more sustainable fishing practices that protect marine ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods.
Edmundo José
Sustainable Fishing Project Team
Edmundo is a long-standing member of Love The Oceans’ Sustainable Fishing Project, supporting the practical delivery of sustainable fishing initiatives in Jangamo Bay. He works closely with the project team to help maintain equipment, oversee daily operations linked to kayak-based fishing, and ensure that project assets are used safely and responsibly by the community. With years of experience working alongside Love The Oceans, Edmundo brings local knowledge, dedication, and a strong work ethic to the project. His role is central to the smooth running of field activities, helping to create the conditions needed for sustainable fishing methods to succeed. Through his steady presence and commitment, Edmundo contributes directly to protecting marine resources while supporting community-led approaches to fisheries management.
Yolanda Artur
Sea Her Project Team
Yolanda is a qualified primary school teacher and a key member of Love The Oceans’ Sea Her Project. A natural leader, she plays a central role across several of LTO’s initiatives, including aquaculture, education, and swimming programs. Yolanda has represented Love The Oceans at government level as part of the aquaculture project team, confidently presenting community-led solutions to decision-makers. Having completed Love The Oceans’ six-month Ocean School as a top performer, Yolanda has also learned to swim through the organisation and now assists weekly with children’s and women’s swimming lessons. In 2025, she led literacy tutoring for Leonor through a Blue Marine Foundation-funded literacy program and was instrumental in shaping LTO’s sexual health and gender equity education work. Yolanda’s leadership, commitment, and versatility make her a vital part of LTO’s future projects.
Leonor Marrengula
Sea Her Project Team
Leonor is one of the most inspiring members of Love The Oceans’ Sea Her Project. In her late 40s, Leonor has spent decades harvesting mussels from the rocky shoreline, having started in her early teens. Her deep local ecological knowledge of mussel habitats and seasonal patterns is invaluable to LTO’s aquaculture work. Although Leonor is illiterate and speaks only the local, unwritten dialect, she has shown extraordinary determination to learn, undertaking literacy tutoring throughout 2025 with support from Yolanda. She also learned to swim through Love The Oceans and now assists weekly with children’s and women’s swimming lessons. Known for her warmth and confidence, Leonor took it upon herself to promote women’s swimming lessons through her church and community networks. Her enthusiasm, leadership, and generosity of spirit make her a powerful role model and a central figure in upcoming LTO projects.
Cristina Nhaguilunguane
Sea Her Project Team
Cristina has been involved in Love The Oceans’ Sea Her Project through its aquaculture initiatives, contributing to hands-on work that supports sustainable livelihoods for women in the community. Through the project, she learned to swim and completed Love The Oceans’ six-month Ocean School, building her knowledge of marine ecosystems and conservation challenges. Cristina’s journey reflects the Sea Her Project’s focus on access, confidence-building, and long-term capacity development. Her growing skills in ocean literacy and water confidence allow her to engage more actively with marine conservation work and community-based initiatives linked to sustainable food security.
Rita Nhabomba
Sea Her Project Team
Rita joined Love The Oceans simply by showing up one day with a desire to be involved - a testament to her curiosity and motivation. Since then, she has learned to swim through the Sea Her Project, completed six months of Ocean School, and become a regular supporter of children’s and women’s swimming lessons on Saturdays. Rita brings enthusiasm and a strong willingness to learn to everything she does. Her progression from participant to active helper highlights the inclusive and open nature of the Sea Her Project, where initiative and commitment are encouraged and nurtured. Rita continues to grow in confidence and capability as part of LTO’s expanding gender equity work.
International staff and volunteers
Inés Costa
Partnerships Manager
Inés is the Partnerships Manager at Love The Oceans. Ines specialised in transdisciplinary marine research during her MSc Degree at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. An overall ocean enthusiast and professional scuba diver, Ines is passionate about ocean literacy and has a soft spot for marine mammal science. After being part of different marine conservation efforts while travelling, Inés realised the importance of ethical and holistic community-led approaches for effective marine management. Ines first joined Love The Oceans in 2019 as a volunteer and was inspired by our mission and approach to conservation. She joined the team seasonally in the following years and eventually became our Marine Program Coordinator in Mozambique for two years. She is now our Partnerships Manager role, where she helps build and strengthen relationships with funders, brands, and collaborators to grow our impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of our work. Alongside this, Inés helps on various Love The Oceans research projects, specialising in social science.
Laura Ruiz de Azúa
Social Media Manager
Laura is Love the Oceans’ Social Media Manager. Her connection with the ocean began when she was very young and she was in the water before she could even walk or speak. That early passion for the underwater world led her to study marine biology in Scotland and Western Australia, where she developed a particular admiration for megafauna, especially humpbacks, as well as a love for coral reef ecosystems. Over time, she realised the importance of raising awareness and sharing that passion and knowledge with others. Laura works to be the bridge between the ocean and people who haven’t yet had the chance to experience or connect with it This is what motivated her to pursue an MSc in Science Communication and Public Engagement. Laura is also a scuba diver, and keen underwater photographer. Through social media, storytelling, photography and building connection, Laura believes we can help people fall in love with our oceans. She's witnessed first hand when people feel emotionally connected to the ocean, and how this inspires them to learn, and once they learn, they begin to care.
Genece Grisby
Video Editor
Genece is our Social Media Video Editor. With a Marine and Coastal Science degree from the University of California, Davis, and international field experience as the 2023 Rolex Scholar, you see her love for the oceans through her videos. She volunteered with LTO in Mozambique in 2024, and her experience with us reaffirmed her commitment to marine conservation and empowering coastal communities. Now applying to MSc programs abroad, Genece is excited to return to academia and continue growing as a conservation scientist while sharing and amplifying the work we do here in Jangamo Bay, Mozambique. In 2026 Genece will be returning to Mozambique on an exciting new LTO project. Watch this space!
Ari Hannigan
UK Outreach Officer
Ari is our UK-based Outreach Officers for Love The Oceans. She is studying Marine Biology with Oceanography at Southampton University and has been a Scuba Diving Instructor for over 3 years. Her passion for travel and research led her to volunteer with LTO in 2024, where she learnt the importance of empowering local communities in the management of their oceans sustainably. A strong interest in marine conservation and a particular interest in megafauna has fuelled her to continue to use LTO’s research for her MSc dissertation on Humpback Whales. She is keen to promote LTO’s research expeditions as an outreach officer to educate and connect more people to the amazing diversity that the ocean offers, aiming to encourage a focus on conservation through a developed love for the ocean.
Olivia Cole
UK Outreach Officer
Liv is one our UK-based Outreach officers for Love the Oceans. She is studying Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University. Her volunteer experience on our 5 week Marine Professional Development Program with Love the Oceans in 2024 solidified her passion for diving, marine biology and holistic conservation. Her interest in marine biology has led her to involvement in research projects in fish behaviour and coral restoration. She aims to promote LTO’s research expeditions as an outreach officer, connecting more people to the sea, marine science careers and encourage sustainable conservation through education and her love for the oceans.
Our advisory board
Professor Salomão Bandeira
Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Eduardo Mondlane
Jerry Mobbs
NED, CEO, mentor and advisor. Former MD of Vodacom Mozambique, now avid photographer.
Hannah Williams
Impact and Sustainability Manager, GBG Plc
Dr Mike Sunderland
Associate Dean for Global and Strategic Partnerships, Faculty of Media, Science and Technology, Bournemouth University
Martina Muita
Programs Director, Food for The Hungry Mozambique
Professor Per Berggren
Chair of Marine Megafauna Conservation, Newcastle University
Want to join our team? Check out our current openings on our job page here. Nothing available right now? Check out our expeditions to see if you can join our team through one of those.
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