Nanise and Tanya

Nanise is a principal research officer for the Ministry of Fisheries in Fiji. In this role, she oversees all research programs in the areas of applied research, resource assessment, and policy development, including having documented all fisheries run entirely by women. She is a co-author of the 2018 Fiji Fisheries Resources profiles and had a cabinet paper on the seasonal ban of groupers approved and implemented.

Nanise's professional goal is to be more effective and influential in the conservation and management of Fiji's endangered and endemic species. She plans to become a strong advocate for women's participation in fisheries resource management and to build stronger links between Government and communities, to ensure national collaboration on environmental activities.

Tanya has over 25 years of experience in conservation land management. She has worked alongside community, government and industry groups at state and local level to deliver conservation outcomes for protected areas, threatened species and ecosystems. Tanya has led and participated in state and regional committees and expert panels and negotiated the establishment of over 50 nature refuges in Queensland. She has managed numerous contemporary and complex projects to deliver conservation outcomes for protected areas, threatened species and ecosystems. She also is experienced in conservation advocacy roles and cross-cultural environments.

As the Conservation Manager for the Queensland Trust for Nature, Tanya drives accountability, performance and sound environmental management of the trust's programs, particularly the Nature Refuges Program, Reserve Management and Science Strategy.