That is a part of a sequence of visitor posts by Andi Cross, whose unimaginable expedition is telling dive tales from across the globe. Try the earlier story, and be a part of us as she takes us to the Edges of Earth!
How Natasha D. Marosi Redefined Success
Dive deep into the center of Fiji, and also you’ll discover a narrative removed from the acquainted tales of seashore resorts and scenic views. Behind the attract of Fiji’s picturesque panorama, we surfaced an equally compelling story of Natasha D. Marosi, the New York lawyer turned shark conservationist and energetic PHD candidate.
Her journey supplies not solely an distinctive understanding of bull sharks and their essential position in marine ecosystems, but in addition tangible classes for each girl that loves scuba diving as a lot as attaining skilled ambitions. On the Edges of Earth expedition, we spent hours shadowing Natasha, studying about her main life upheaval that modified her definition of success.
Embracing the Pivot
Natasha’s preliminary trajectory appeared worlds away from Pacific Harbour, Fiji – probably the most biodiverse locations on earth and recognized for its energetic shark populations. Thriving in her profession, her life was following the established order for a lot of New Yorkers.
Being a part of the company grind is usually thought of a ceremony of passage, and one thing that defines success on the east coast of the USA. However beneath structured fits, the ocean was relentlessly calling Natasha.
Her transfer from the courtroom to the coral reefs was greater than a profession change; it was a pivotal transformation. The bull sharks of Fiji, creatures each awe-inspiring and misunderstood, turned her new point of interest after a month-long volunteering stint within the island nation.
For Natasha, there was no such factor as “too late” to pivot in direction of her ardour. After her conservation-centered go to to Fiji, a possibility arose to reside on mainland Viti Levu and grow to be an advocate for sharks and their ocean habitats. In fact, she took it with out hesitation.
Giving up every part she knew, she discovered the braveness to vary course—which regularly is what it takes to uncover our most rewarding life chapters.
Difficult Preconceptions
To most of us, bull sharks symbolize hazard. Their considerably inaccurate fame for being unpredictable and their presence in each recent and saltwater close to coastlines the place people spend time, make them a number of the world’s most infamous sharks.
Upon arrival in Fiji, and armed with just a few firsthand encounters, Natasha aimed to problem these perceptions by way of her new line of labor. At the moment, she’s spending extra of her time with bulls in these protected waters to proceed on the journey of demystifying sharks.
Natasha’s first challenge along with the United Nations Improvement Program was the creation of an adoption program referred to as “My Fiji Shark,” which presents named sharks visiting the Shark Reef Marine Reserve for adoption.
Turning into a shark guardian has its perks, however the primary goal of this program is two-fold: to generate earnings for shark analysis and conservation work and introduce folks to a aspect of sharks that they had by no means recognized existed.
By showcasing sharks as people with personalities and life histories as distinctive and also you and I, My Fiji Shark goals to vary peoples’ perceptions of sharks, help ocean conservation initiatives all through Fiji, and help shark and ray analysis within the first-ever Fiji Shark Lab.
Natasha’s anecdotal observations of shark conduct had been first used for the good thing about My Fiji Shark after which to teach divers on shark conduct. She credit sharks for her pure development to her present PhD analysis, as a result of she was intent on proving what she was seeing throughout her dives within the scientific context and sharing her discoveries with the world.
Investing in Native Potential
Beqa Journey Divers (BAD) is not only a scuba operator, however slightly a conservation group in the beginning. Upon inception, BAD founder and intrepid diver, Mike Neumann, seen a common decline in marine ecosystems globally on every successive dive journey. He had a dream to create a shark sanctuary in Fiji by defending the world and making it self-sustaining akin to safari tourism in Africa.
The main target can be on sharks for 2 causes: first, as a result of they’re fascinating megafauna. Secondly, they’re ultimate ambassador species that may assist to carry folks nearer to the ocean. Mike and the BAD staff collaborated with an area village to determine the Shark Reef Marine Reserve.
From there, they built-in extra methods of investing within the native communities. This included the creation of village youth employment packages that present training and sustainable earnings, coaching unemployed youth to grow to be dive professionals and sponsoring the coaching of fish wardens, enabling BAD workers and different locals to behave as ocean stewards of their communities.
Combining neighborhood progress with conservation practices, the nation continues to raise as one of many prime locations to see a number of shark species on a single dive and of their pure atmosphere. Natasha’s staff has been instrumental in setting the gold commonplace for dive security with these wild, apex predators.
At the moment, anybody who dives with this staff can undertake sharks by way of My Fiji Shark, which supplies a steady circulate of funding for future analysis.
When speaking with Natasha and her crew about their endless work to guard sharks and produce folks nearer to them, there was no scarcity of ardour. A number of the native divers had been working with the analysis heart for many years, which says loads in itself.
Residing Exterior the Field
In Natasha’s expertise, we see the fantastic thing about a path much less traveled. From New York’s towering concrete jungle, to Fiji’s huge ocean, she’s managed to seek out properties in each of those contrasting worlds. And in doing so, she’s damaged the mould and redefined success on her phrases.
Natasha’s story is not only about her private journey, however in regards to the energy of fearlessly pursuing one’s ambition. Folks like Natasha illuminate the trail to dwelling a life not restricted by typical boundaries or dictated by societal norms. Her story is a reminder that we are able to push our limits, redefine our narrative and remodel our lives in unimaginable methods after we dare to comply with our intestine.
When asking Natasha what’s one piece of recommendation she’d give to ladies serious about pursuing a profession in ocean conservation, she mentioned be tenacious and discover a mentor, as a result of all of it comes right down to connections.
To achieve your objectives, don’t be afraid to attach with different individuals who have executed it earlier than and who’re within the area. Ask questions and keep curious. Earlier than you understand it, you is likely to be spending your days diving with bull sharks too.
In regards to the Writer
Andi Cross is a progress strategist, skilled scuba diver and lead of the Edges of Earth expedition, highlighting tales of constructive ocean progress and how one can discover the world extra consciously. To maintain up with the expedition, comply with the staff on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube and their web site.
