Joana Castro | Marine Mammal Researcher | Director at AIMM | Portugal
Joana is a marine biologist with expertise in the social organisation and behaviour of dolphins. She has been working with marine mammals and environmental education for more than two decades and is the founder and executive director of AIMM.
Joana is currently developing and involved in several studies regarding the biology, ecology, and conservation of marine mammals in the south coast of Portugal. She has participated in several cetacean research projects, in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and worked as a marine mammal consultant and educator for various whale-watching companies, zoos, aquariums, universities, private environmental companies, and governmental organisations around the world.
What are you doing in or around the ocean?
I’m a marine biologist and researcher.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
Growing up hearing my grandfather's stories about the sea motivated me to want to explore it. At the age of 10, I saw my first wild dolphins, and that was the moment I knew I wanted to protect these animals. Determined, I graduated as a marine biologist and later founded AIMM, the organization I work at.
What/who currently inspires you?
I’ve always admired Jane Goodall. She was one of the first women to enter the male-dominated field of animal behaviour science, and that resonated with me. Her passion empowered me to keep pursuing this job.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
After graduating, I worked as coordinator and trainer of the Team of Guides and Educators in the Lisbon’s Zoo. After working there and gaining some real-life job experience I became a research assistant at several projects around the world, like the Dusky Dolphin Research Project" in New Zealand.
After that, I was invited to be a researcher in some exploration surveys and international projects. I wanted to explore, learn and see everything I could see outside of my own country. And with all these experiences and contacts under my belt, I returned home and founded AIMM, an NGO with the mission of ocean conservation, through research and education. It started as a small project, based on my volunteer work and that of my colleagues, young biologists who wanted to make the world a better place and not just become another drop in the ocean.
Our aim was to protect the marine environment by creating more opportunities for those interested in marine biology. I couldn't be happier with the work we've done and the success we've achieved.
What do you value most in life?
The people around me.
In my private life, my family and friends. Without them, I would not be the person I am today and would not achieve everything I had. They ground me.
In my career, is my colleagues. We are a small team at AIMM so the environment is very familiar. I love that I've found a group of people with the same passion as me, and that also embrace AIMM's mission with the same strength I have all these years.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
I really think that MPAs are one of the ways to move forward in ocean conservation. We need to have more (at least here in Portugal) and there needs to be an enforcement of those laws, and not just create an area, not just be on paper.
What brings you the most joy?
It excites me when, year after year, we receive mostly female participants in our courses, which shows that women are “hungry” to be at the forefront of science.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams?
Don’t give up and try to make connections with fellow colleagues and other people in your field or area. We need each other to achieve our dreams. Alone is no fun, either!
Follow Joana’s Journey
Instagram: @aimmportugal_org
