Yathima Oraibo Abdul

Yathima Oraibo Abdul

Research Fellow – Mozambique

Overview

Yathima Oraibo Abdul is a Research Fellow at the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) in Tofo, Mozambique, where she supports research on marine megafauna, especially whale sharks, manta rays, sharks, and rays. She also participates in data collection and analysis and artisanal catch monitoring, and supports environmental education and conservation activities.

She is interested in scientific research, biodiversity conservation, climate action, and working with coastal communities.

Education

2025 Bachelor’s Degree, Biological Sciences
Lúrio University, Mozambique

Biography

Yathima was born in Maputo, Mozambique, where she completed her primary and secondary education. In 2020, she moved to Cabo Delgado to study at Lúrio University, where she graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences.

During her university studies, she developed an interest in biodiversity and marine conservation. She gained experience in biodiversity monitoring, marine species data collection, artisanal fisheries, and environmental education.

Today, she works with marine megafauna and biodiversity monitoring, contributing to the collection of data that supports the conservation of marine species and ecosystems in Mozambique.

Our work in Mozambique

Mozambique is where MMF began, in 2003, and where most of our team works today. Alongside long-term research on whale sharks, manta rays and other threatened species, two flagship programs take conservation into coastal communities: Sustainable Seas, where 90 local Ocean Ambassadors help fishing communities look after their own waters, and Ocean Guardians, a UNESCO-recognized program with more than 8,000 graduates from its conservation classes and swim school since 2012.Explore our work in Mozambique →

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