Summary
Work history
Education
Skills
Marine Wildlife Expertise
References
Timeline
Generic
MARIA TAPIA

MARIA TAPIA

Summary

Passionate Marine Biologist with international experience across the Maldives, Australia, Spain and conservation organisations. Experienced leading marine biology programmes, delivering educational talks, guiding snorkelling and wildlife excursions, coordinating conservation initiatives and creating exceptional guest experiences. Strong public speaker with proven success in sustainable tourism, environmental education, marine wildlife interpretation and cross-cultural teamwork. Recognised for combining scientific knowledge with hospitality, sales and guest engagement while inspiring ocean conservation.

Work history

Marine Biologist & Conservation Centre Coordinator

The Barefoot Eco Hotel & Villas
Maldives
  • Led the Marine Biology Programme and managed all Conservation Centre activities.
  • Guided snorkelling, reef monitoring and marine wildlife excursions.
  • Delivered marine biology lectures in English three times per week.
  • Presented educational marine documentaries after dinner.
  • Organised beach clean-ups and ecological land excursions.
  • Promoted and sold marine excursions and developed bio-diving experiences.
  • Worked with management on the GSTC-certified Eco Concept and sustainable tourism initiatives.
  • Collaborated with hotel departments and local community to enhance guest experiences.
  • Introduced new conservation and guest engagement initiatives.

Marine Biologist

Joy Island
Maldives
  • Guided snorkelling, dolphin, shark and marine wildlife excursions, educated guests on reef ecology, supported artificial reef restoration and promoted sustainable marine practices.

Education Volunteer

The Manta Trust
  • Delivered school outreach programmes promoting manta ray conservation and marine education.

Hatchery Attendant

SALTAS
  • Fish husbandry, water quality monitoring, biosecurity and salmon production.

Education

BSc - Environmental Science

Pablo de Olavide University
Spain

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Edge Hill University
UK

Skills

  • Led the Marine Biology Programme and managed all Conservation Centre activities
  • Guided snorkelling, reef monitoring and marine wildlife excursions
  • Delivered marine biology lectures in English three times per week
  • Presented educational marine documentaries after dinner
  • Organised beach clean-ups and ecological land excursions
  • Promoted and sold marine excursions and developed bio-diving experiences
  • Worked with management on the GSTC-certified Eco Concept and sustainable tourism initiatives
  • Collaborated with hotel departments and local community to enhance guest experiences
  • Introduced new conservation and guest engagement initiatives

Marine Wildlife Expertise

Manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, eagle rays, stingrays, green & hawksbill turtles, dolphins, pilot whales and tropical reef fishes.

References

Raffaella Colleoni. General Manager at The Barefoot Eco Hotel & Villas, Maldives. raffaella.colleoni@thebarefoot.com

Hassain Suaidh. General Manager at Joy Island by Cocoon Collection, Maldives. +960 990 1666

Ford. Conservation & Recreation Team at Joy Island by Cocoon Collection, Maldives. +960 7 960208

Jennifer Spacagna. The Manta Trust. +44(0) 7717 561901. jennifer.spacagna@mantatrust.org

Damien Nieuwesteeg. General Manager of Salmon Enterprises of Tasmania, Wayatinah. Australia damien.nieuwesteeg@saltas.com.au

Jack Brown. Broodstock Manager of Salmon Enterprises of Tasmania, Wayatinah, Australia jack.brown@saltas.com.au

Brad Watchorn. Salmon Enterprises of Tasmania, Wayatinah, Australia. brad.watchorn@saltas.com.au

Alberto Proaño. Conservation and Use of Marine Ecosystems, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador. aproaño@galapagos.gob.ec

Eduardo Espinoza Herrera. Conservation and Use of Marine Ecosystems, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador. eespinoza@galapagos.gob.ec

Prof. Dr. José Luis Daza Cordero. Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Pablo de Olivine University, Seville, Spain. jldaza@upo.es

Dr. Luis Villagarcía Saiz. Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems, Pablo de Olivine university, Seville, Spain. lvilsai@upo.es

Prof. Esther Velázquez Alonso. Department of Economics, Quantitative Methods and Economic History of Pablo de Olivine University, Seville, Spain. evelalo1@gmail.com

Timeline

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Edge Hill University

Hatchery Attendant

SALTAS

Education Volunteer

The Manta Trust

Marine Biologist

Joy Island

Marine Biologist & Conservation Centre Coordinator

The Barefoot Eco Hotel & Villas

BSc - Environmental Science

Pablo de Olavide University

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MARIA TAPIA