Shakera Arnold
Shakera Arnold is the Marine Reserves Science Manager under the Ecosystems-based Management Unit of the Department; and is the Fisheries Officer in charge of planning and implementing environmental monitoring and research programs to ensure that changes in the general ecology of the marine and coastal environment are detected and these environments are safeguarded. She is also responsible for ensuring the compliance with all monitoring programs implemented throughout the Marine Reserves Network. In addition, she compiles and analyse data acquired to produce annual status reports and provide input for policies and management. She also assists in the development and implementation of management and operational plans and policies for the marine reserves and the fisheries sector. Additionally, she represents the EMU and the Department on various boards, committees and working groups.
Shakera has a M.Sc. degree in Coastal Science and Policy from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). She has been at the Fisheries Department since January 2011, in the capacity of Marine Reserve Manager for the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve and the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve during which she has represented the department on a local, regional, and international scale; before going on study leave. She was thereafter transferred to the main office where the department felt that her work experiences and newly acquired knowledge and skills would better serve the department’s mandate; and her ability to create positive impacts would be greater amplified by her contribution to the national program.