Guyanese Marine scientist and Biologist, Maria Fraser, is a ‘Special Person’

Jun 12, 2022 News, Special Person

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Fulfilling an essential role in the preservation of marine life…

By Rehanna Ramsay

Kaieteur News – There is a popular quote by American author Mark Twain which says: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
Many people embrace these famous words but this week’s ‘Special Person’ might have just uncovered what that saying truly means.

Twenty-six-year-old Maria Fraser discovered her passion for the sciences, and for marine life conversation at a young age, and to date, she is arguably the first and youngest locally-based Guyanese to have obtained credentials in the field of oceanography.
In fact, the young marine scientist has quite an impressive resumé for an under 30-year-old in the sector.
Her qualifications include a Master of Science Degree from Zhejiang University, Ocean College for her studies in Marine Science (Biology), a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Guyana (UG) in General Biology, a University of Guyana Associate degree in Biology as well as a Chile University Diploma in Good Practice in Public Sector.
Throughout her academic life, Fraser has received several awards including the Excellence Award from the University of Guyana in 2018, the best Graduating student with the highest GPA in the Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Guyana’s Berbice Campus (UGBC), the Most Outstanding International student of Zhejiang University, China, and the Best Female Athlete at Zhejiang University, China, swimming, tennis, and badminton.
Outside of this, she holds a certificate from the Guyana Lutheran (Church) Music Academy for majoring in playing the keyboard.
In addition to her qualifications in the area of marine science, Fraser is also an avid volunteer.

The New Amsterdam Multilateral School graduate has done the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas Ocean Expedition and Megafauna survey as a Marine Mammals Observer, volunteered at Environmental Management Consultancy and Saxicalli Rainforest Project, and a host of other volunteer projects geared at the conservation of the environment and marine life.
At present, Fraser is employed as a Marine Scientist at our Ministry of Natural Resources and is the Research Manager at the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS).
She also sits on the Executive board of Research Manager at the Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) and the Vice President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Association Development.
She is also attached to UGBC as an external supervisor for the final year research students lecturer and an Executive Member of the UGBC Alumni. Maria cares about the future of young people, therefore enjoys mentoring and guiding one on a career path.
She remains active in various capacities for marine conservation and has even worked as a research analyst for National Geographic in China during her studies.

FRASER LEGACY
It’s no surprise that Fraser choose to work in the field of conservation, as she hails from a family that is well known in the Berbice area, as the proprietors of the “Fraser Farm,” or what is known as “the 99 Window House.”
She explained that most of her childhood was spent on the farm with her Mother, Jullieann Fraser, and grandparents David and Shirley Fraser, learning the ins and outs of cattle rearing, crop, and animal production.

Fraser told Kaieteur News that “At an early age I was exposed to veterinary medicine as my grand-dad was an agriculturist and his father, was a veterinarian from the golden days.”
She said that living on a farm has advantages, “besides learning to grow your own food, farming life has taught me a great discipline and responsibility.”
Fraser recalled waking up at 5am to milk the cow, feed the chickens and other animals, and water the plants.
Fraser’s childhood days were filled with adventure. She found herself in situations like playing with a small tiger cat which she thought was a kitten, driving a tractor as a teenager, pumping water to feed the animals, and swimming in the nearby trench to a house that was inhabited by caimans and anacondas.
Fraser declared, “These were fun memories! But not for my mother and grandmother as they were very concerned about my well-being…”
Despite her adventurous persona, Fraser always valued her academic pursuits. Given her attraction to nature, she was influenced to pursue scientific studies.

As a result, after completing high school, Fraser enrolled at the UG Berbice Campus. Her intention was to study medicine but by the second year of UG, Fraser recalled “something happened!”
She explained that “I had applied to UG’s medical school, fortunately, I was not accepted, so I continue and completed my degree in Biology at the University of Guyana’s Berbice Campus. After completing I still wanted to do medicine, but I realised that all my friends were pursuing studies in the field of medicine and I thought to myself that in my generation there will be a lot of doctors, so why not do something that is different, something that is unique and that my country ‘Guyana” will need.’”
Fraser recalled that as students of the University, “We were told early that we need to find our passion.”
As a result, Fraser said she was reminded to do something that she loved, because “once I love it, it will not be consider work.” After completing her first studies in Biology at the University of Guyana, Fraser said she enrolled at the Zhejiang University, Ocean College in China to read for a Master’s in Marine Science and Biology.
Her outstanding performance as a student in China earned several notable roles including (student) ambassador for the Ministry of Tourism Zhoushan Province, China, the International student representative, a summer teacher at her University. Also her university appointed her as volunteer English teacher at several pre and middle schools in China.
When asked about her chosen career path Fraser asserted that: “To be very honest marine science found me…”

She revealed further “It’s quite new to Guyana and I would want to believe I am the first person to hold a Master of Science in Marine Science in Guyana. Today I now have other colleagues that perusing studies in marine-related studies.”

ESSENTIAL ROLE
Today, Fraser is thrilled to be working with the Ministry of Natural Resources encouraging for sustainable use and management of our natural resources. She alluded, that “she couldn’t have ask for any better team and supportive leadership from the subject Minister and Permanent Secretary.”
She explained that her role is essential as Guyana places great importance on the sustainable use and conservation of marine resources.

“The LCDS 2030 project mentions support for the protection for low-carbon development of marine and coastal ecosystems which will be done by examining the ecosystems of the coastal and marine environment through marine spatial management and improving the capacity and knowledge of key stakeholders in these areas,” she explained.
Fraser looks forward to helping Guyana develop an Ocean Policy, an Integrated Marine Management for Land-Based Pollution, and Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) to promote the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
She said, “I am happy to see this objective set, as I know I will have my role to play in ensuring this mandate is accomplished for the greater development of Guyana and sustainable use and management of our natural resources. Also, with the mandate from United Nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.”
The UN’s SDG number 14 is to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, sea, and marine resources. Fraser said, “One of the target goals is to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land base activities, including marine debris and nutrients pollution.
She explained that “It’s not just a source of food. The ocean is also home to an abundance of life.”
According to Fraser, while estimates on the number of species that live in the sea exist, no one knows with absolute certainty what that number is.
She noted that the US National Library of Medicine’s National Institutes of Health states that: “91 percent of species in the ocean still await description. The ocean covers around 70 percent of the planet’s surface and is up to 11,000 metres deep.”
“The number of yet-to-be-discovered creatures living in the sea could easily run into the millions. Three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihood. The market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at US$3 trillion per year, about five5 percent of the global GDP. However today, 40 percent of the ocean is heavily affected by pollution, depleted fisheries, loss of coastal habitats, and other human activities,” the marine scientist added.
Fraser told Kaieteur News, nevertheless, that Guyana Exclusive Economic Zone—oceanic boundary remains largely undiscovered.
In this regard, she noted that research is needed to raise awareness of the value of the marine and coastal ecosystem and the need for conservation and sustainable planning and development.

MARINE CONSERVATION
In her capacity as a conservationist, Fraser works for Guyana’s oldest and only marine-focused conservation Non-Governmental Organisation —the GMCS.
With GMCS, Fraser works along with other local conservationists like Annette Arjoon whom she lists among her mentors in the field.
“We are a pool of committed experts from academia, government, private sector, and indigenous backgrounds. We work together passionately to support and advocate for the protection, conservation, and management of Guyana’s marine and coastal biodiversity,” she added.
Through her work in this field, Fraser has had several opportunities, including one where she explored Guyana’s EEZ.
She revealed, “I was given the opportunity to take part in the Ocean Mega fauna survey last October 2021, where we spent six days at sea documenting marine life. It was an honour to be a part of the WWF Guiana Megafauna expedition, there is no other way to put it over, before exploring other people’s countries, explore your own backyard!”
Fraser noted that “There is so much that Guyana has to offer us, but many of us are still in denial.”
“Yes! Guyana has dolphins, whales, exotic fishes and marine life! And yes we do have blue waters,” she declared, adding that it is very important for Guyana to do more in protecting and preserving the ocean especially by reducing plastic pollution.
According to Fraser, for this to happen the Government and Private sector must play a major role in developing a stringent Marine Policy and Blue Economy plan to manage our marine resources.
“And with time I hope to see Guyana implement an Ocean Governance department,” she posited.
The marine scientist is an advocate for practicing sustainable harvesting of fish.
In the past, she has worked with UG in partnership with the WWF project as a field researcher for the collection of shark and rays data from different fishing locations across Guyana.
Most recently, she was a part of the fisheries studies conducted in the Barima Mora passage in Region One, where the team spent one week assessing the abundance of species in that area.
Besides enjoying her work with marine conservation, Fraser enjoys mentoring her peers in their respective career paths whether marine-related or not. The young marine scientist is also a member of Project Hope, a charitable organisation where she oversees the needs of orphaned kids through peer-peer tutoring.
She noted her family and mentors, Jaggie Tribhawan Jagessar, her high school math teacher, Mr. Phillip Da Silva – UGBC Lecturer, and Dr. Gomathianygam – Director for UGBC, all played a role in motivating her in the direction of academic excellence. In this regard, she hopes to do the same for others.

 

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