It’s the final day of the 2019 MantaWatch Internship Program. A time to look back over all that we’ve achieved during the past four weeks. But also a time to look forward to the future.

Looking back, our four interns have achieved many things since they arrived in Labuan Bajo. Long hours in the classroom, dive training and field surveys, meeting new people, feedback and deadlines. At times it has been tiring, but it has always been educational and fun. 

Today our focus was on personal evaluations. Each of the interns reflected on the goals they had set for themselves at the start of the programme, as well as providing feedback and ideas to help strengthen the programme next year.

And while today is the end of this programme, our interns’ journey is only just beginning. They have each demonstrated a strong ability and commitment to preserving our oceans. Their role as manta ambassadors and young marine conservation leaders starts today, and I have no doubt that they will each excel in this role.