Rachel Jones MSc.

I joined the BPMS in 2017, when nine projects were chosen to launch the research programme. Since then, I have been coordinating the management of the different projects. Specifically, my role is to provide the large science team with logistical support, coordination and effective communication. A crucial part of my role is to link our large body of marine scientists with the MPA management team. This ensures that conservation activity is supported by objective scientific information.

I highly value the time I spend working with our teams in the field. My first trip in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was in 2006. I was active in the campaign to get the Marine Protected Area declared back in 2010. Given the intense threats marine biodiversity is under elsewhere in the world I have always vigorously promoted BIOT as the invaluable refuge for biodiversity it is.

We recently added a project to our growing portfolio. It studies and mitigates the effects of plastics on sea turtles within BIOT.