Francesca Trotman is the passionate founder of Love the Oceans, a nonprofit organization making a profound impact on marine conservation and community empowerment in Mozambique. With a background in marine biology, Francesca turned a life-changing encounter with unsustainable shark finning into a powerful mission to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. From leading the charge to designate Jangamo Bay as a Mission Blue Hope Spot to empowering local women through groundbreaking programs like Sea Her, Francesca’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of grassroots conservation. In this interview, she shares her story, challenges, and hopes for the future.
Let’s go back to the beginning. Was there a particular moment that inspired you to create Love the Oceans?
Love The Oceans began with a single, unforgettable moment during a dive trip in Mozambique, whilst studying marine biology at University. Witnessing a shark being finned – a majestic creature reduced to a victim of unsustainable practices – lit a fire in me. The sharks were being exploited unsustainably and it wasn’t something I could ignore and walk away from. That moment, combined with the vibrant marine life and the warmth of the local community gave me the ‘this is where I’m meant to be’ feeling. It’s a constant reminder that every small action can create lasting change.
What’s one memory that stands out to you from your first days in Mozambique?
One vivid memory from my early days in Mozambique is sitting on the beach, watching humpback whales breach during their migration. The scale of the migration was breathtaking, and it hit me just how interconnected everything is – the whales, the people, the ocean. I kept coming back because of the sheer natural beauty of Jangamo and the deep connection I felt with our local community. It wasn’t just about seeing the marine life; it was about creating something meaningful to protect it.
A Hope Spot for the Ocean
Love the Oceans was designated as a Hope Spot by Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue – amazing! Can you share what it took to achieve this? And how did it feel when you realized this recognition was happening?
Being designated as a Hope Spot by Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue was an incredible milestone for Love the Oceans. The recognition came after we submitted a detailed application highlighting the unique biodiversity of Jangamo and our ongoing work to protect it. It felt like a huge step forward for our goal of establishing a Marine Protected Area (MPA). As a small grassroots charity, it’s easy to get immersed in the day-to-day work, so receiving this kind of international recognition was not only validating but also motivating. It reminded us that the world is watching and rooting for us, which is both humbling and energizing.
The Sylvia Earle Effect
Sylvia Earle is such a powerful figure in ocean conservation. How has she influenced you and Love the Oceans?
Sylvia Earle has been an inspiration to so many people, including me and our team members, particularly the women in our organization. Her pioneering work and her role as a female leader in ocean conservation have been a beacon of hope and motivation for us. The power of role models like Sylvia is immeasurable – they show us what’s possible and pave the way for others to follow. At Love the Oceans, we aim to be that kind of inspiration for future generations, fostering a deep connection to the ocean and the drive to protect it.
Dream Guests: An Ocean Wish List.
If you could invite any three people to join you in Mozambique – living, historical, or even mythical – who would they be and why? What would you want them to experience firsthand?
If I could invite anyone to Mozambique to experience the incredible work we do, my choices would be Leonardo DiCaprio, Emma Watson, and Jacques Cousteau. Leonardo DiCaprio is a globally recognized advocate for environmental causes, and having him witness our grassroots approach to marine conservation could inspire broader support and awareness for sustainable fishing practices and ocean protection. Emma Watson, with her passion for social justice and gender equality, aligns beautifully with our Sea Her Project, which empowers women to become swim instructors, scuba divers, and leaders in conservation.
For the historical guest, Jacques Cousteau feels like the perfect choice. As a pioneer of marine exploration and conservation, his legacy continues to inspire ocean lovers around the world. I’d love to show him how his early work has influenced modern conservation efforts like ours and get his thoughts on our projects. I imagine him diving with us on a reef survey, discussing how local knowledge and global science intersect in preserving marine ecosystems. Together, these three individuals would experience not only the beauty of Mozambique but also the powerful impact of community-driven conservation.
Not Just Another Day at Work
Conservation work is often challenging yet incredibly rewarding. Can you share a moment where you thought, “This is why we do what we do”?
Conservation is a long game – it often takes decades to see the fruits of your labor. But moments of success remind us why we do this work. Recently, removing a massive ghost net from the reef was one of those moments. It was dangerous, exhausting, and required incredible teamwork, but the relief of knowing we’d saved countless marine lives was indescribable. Another motivator is our team itself – mostly local community members whose futures are directly tied to the ocean. For example, our work on sustainable fishing isn’t just about protecting marine life – it’s about ensuring food security for generations, like what Bento’s (our field officer) new twin daughters will eat in 20 years. These personal connections drive our holistic approach, balancing benefits for both people and the planet.
Achievements and Milestones
Love the Oceans has achieved so much. Which milestone stands out most to you, and what impact are you proudest of?
Love The Oceans has achieved so much over the years, but a few milestones stand out as defining moments for us. One of the proudest was establishing Jangamo Bay as a Mission Blue Hope Spot, which put our small part of the world on the global map for marine conservation. Launching our Sustainable Fishing Project was another major milestone, as it represents the heart of what we do: combining environmental protection with improving the lives of local people.
Other achievements, like hatching our first turtle nest, feel deeply symbolic of ecosystem recovery. Training the first female swimmers, lifeguards, and scuba divers in the district through our Sea Her Project has also been incredibly rewarding. These women are breaking barriers and leading the way for gender equity in ocean activities. Finally, winning awards like the Ocean Award and the Gender Justice Climate Solutions Award at COP29 are moments of recognition that remind us our work has a much wider impact.
Looking to the Future
Where do you envision Love the Oceans in the next five years? Are there any specific projects, goals, or collaborations you’re most excited about?
In the next five years, we’re working for Love The Oceans to take a significant step forward by building our own base, which will include a research center and an education center. This is a crucial next step for us as it will provide a dedicated space for long-term research and community programs, accelerating our mission to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Jangamo Bay.
We’re also excited about expanding our conservation projects to include more areas, ensuring food security and sustainable practices across the region. Collaborations with international researchers and NGOs will strengthen our efforts, and we aim to create a replicable model of community-driven conservation that can inspire similar initiatives worldwide.
A Day in the Life: Mozambique Edition
Can you describe a typical day with Love the Oceans in Mozambique for those of us who haven’t experienced it?
A typical day with Love The Oceans starts early, often around 6 AM, with coffee on the porch as the sun rises, whales breaching on the horizon. Mornings are spent collecting data for various projects, whether it’s coral surveys, whale surveys, or analyzing fisheries. After lunch, we might do a beach clean, input data, or assist with marine conservation lessons at the local schools.
For those on community outreach, the day is spent teaching or working on projects like swimming lessons for children, which take place on Saturdays. Evenings bring the team together for dinner, sharing stories and reflecting on the day. For staff and management, there’s also a fair share of admin and meetings with community leaders, but the passion for conservation makes every moment worth it. What many people don’t realize is how much of our work is about building relationships and trust within the community – it’s just as vital as the research itself.
The Big One
If you had to sum up Love the Oceans in just one sentence, capturing its essence and impact, what would it be?
Love The Oceans is a small but mighty grassroots organization committed to empowering communities and conserving our oceans, ensuring thriving ecosystems for generations to come.
