Overview
Simão Sande is a Mozambican marine biologist and Reef Monitoring Program Manager with the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF), based in Inhambane, Mozambique. He leads the implementation and development of MMF’s coral reef monitoring program in Mozambique, coordinating ecological monitoring, field research, data management, scientific training, and collaboration with conservation partners.
His work focuses on understanding marine ecosystems and generating scientific evidence to support marine conservation. His experience spans coral reef monitoring, sharks and rays, marine megafauna, scientific diving, and field-based ecological research, using methods including Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS), underwater observations, photographic surveys, and spatial analysis. He is also interested in applying artificial intelligence, photogrammetry, and digital data systems to strengthen the scale and efficiency of marine monitoring.
Simão also contributes to capacity building within MMF, mentoring early-career marine biologists and supporting field training and scientific collaboration. His professional interests lie at the intersection of marine ecology, conservation science, and technology, with a particular focus on strengthening long-term reef monitoring and conservation in Mozambique and the wider Western Indian Ocean region.
Education
2025–2027 MSc in Applied Marine Sciences
School of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique
2020 BSc in Marine Biology
School of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique
Biography
Simão is from Mozambique and developed an early interest in the country’s marine and coastal environments. His academic training in Marine Biology at Eduardo Mondlane University’s School of Marine and Coastal Sciences led him towards field-based research, initially focusing on fisheries science, including fisheries stock assessment and population dynamics. Through this work, he became increasingly interested in using scientific data to understand marine biodiversity and inform practical conservation action.
His professional journey began in the aquaculture sector, where he gained practical experience in shrimp farming before moving into fisheries research with the Instituto Oceanográfico de Moçambique (InOM). His work in fisheries research and field surveys strengthened his experience in data collection, stock assessment, and population dynamics, while deepening his interest in evidence-based approaches to understanding and managing marine resources.
His career subsequently evolved towards marine conservation, including work with the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary, where he developed experience in biodiversity monitoring, GIS, and conservation management. He later joined the Marine Megafauna Foundation, where his work expanded from field research and data collection into marine megafauna research, biodiversity monitoring, scientific diving, program coordination, training, and the development of innovative approaches to marine monitoring.
Today, Simão works to connect field science, technology, and conservation, with the aim of improving how marine ecosystems are monitored and understood and helping translate scientific knowledge into meaningful conservation outcomes.
Current research
Team member
