Amazon Megafish Migration Project & International Sawfish Day
October 17, 2020

The Amazon region, both within the Amazon River and along coast north and south of the river, is home to numerous large, migratory fishes. One of these fishes, the largetooth sawfish, has been the recent focus of the EcoWB Amazon Megafish Migration project. And, with International Sawfish Day on October 17 th , and World Fish Migration Day on October 24 th , now is the perfect time to highlight the work being done by the Megafish team.  

Largetooth sawfish are a critically endangered species worldwide, listed on the IUCN Redlist of Threatened Species. They are also fascinating, both because of their unique body plan and because they are somewhat of a scientific mystery. Sawfish are a type of ray, though their body shape, with prominent dorsal fins and tail fins, means they are often mistaken for sharks. Their rostrum bordered by sharp rostral teeth is a unique adaptation that they use to both sense and hunt prey.  

From left: Dr. Patricia Charvet, Dr. Jens Hegg, Mariana Moro in Curitiba, Brazil holding sawfish rostrum samples from the Amazon region.

Largetooth sawfish are a euryhaline species, able to tolerate a range of salinities. They are sometimes known as Freshwater Sawfish because they are often found in rivers as well as in brackish environments. However, most of the current data on largetooth sawfish comes from Australia where their numbers are still somewhat plentiful. The Amazon region is thought to be one of the last refuges for the species in the Americas, but we know very little about their numbers or their behavior and ecology in this part of the world.  

The EcoWB team is working to better understand largetooth sawfish in the Amazon region using chemistry. Partnering with researchers in Brazil including Dr. Patricia Charvet, Dr. Tommaso Giarrizzo, and Dr. Jorge Nunes, Dr. Jens Hegg has identified and collected over 100 sawfish rostral teeth. Because the teeth grow throughout the life of the fish we have discovered that they record chemistry, particularly chemical records of salinity, which might allow us to better understand their distribution and behavior. The preliminary findings are currently in review and a pre-print of this work can be found on BioRxive.  

Study area used to create the GIS model.

The Megafish team has been hard at work this year collaborating with the EcoWB GIS Program to support this work. In order to reconstruct the chemistry within our sawfish samples it is important to understand the spatial variation of chemistry across the area being studied. This helps to narrow down the likely locations where sawfish may have travelled throughout their life, and better understand how these movements across fresh and brackish water relate to other important parts of their life-history. All of this, eventually, can help us understand more about the behavior and distribution of largetooth sawfish in the Amazon river and along the Brazilian Amazon coast.  

To this end the EcoWB GIS Program has helped to identify temperature, depth, and salinity datasets which can be used to characterize the potential habitats of largetooth sawfish in the Amazon region. In the coming months the team will be building these datasets into a GIS model that can be used to inform the chemistry we find in the sawfish rostral tooth samples we are working to import and analyze.

From left: Dr. Tommaso Giarrizzo, Dr. Jens Hegg, PhD Student Leonardo Feitosa, Dr. Jorge Nunes collecting donated rostral tooth samples near São Luis, Brazil.

 

March 2, 2025
Job Title: Program Manager Location: Remote Organization: Ecologists Without Borders Hours: Part-Time (10-20 hrs per week) Term: Through December 31, 2025 (renewal possible, subject to funding) Compensation: Subject to grant funding availability and applicant’s level of experience About Us Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) is dedicated to environmental conservation and community-led sustainable development. We work globally to implement impactful projects that address ecological challenges, empower local communities, and promote long-term environmental resilience. Position Summary EcoWB is seeking an organized and proactive Program Manager to oversee ongoing environmental projects, develop new projects in collaboration with environmentally vulnerable communities worldwide and expand partnerships that align with our mission. This is a fully remote position and no travel is anticipated as part of this position. The ideal candidate has nonprofit environmental work experience, strong communication and organizational skills, and a passion for conservation and community development in an international setting. This role provides a hands-on opportunity to expand EcoWB’s project program, both internally and externally through engagement with potential partner organizations and supporting EcoWB Volunteer Project Managers, while contributing meaningfully to EcoWB’s mission. Key Responsibilities Project Program Management: Working with EcoWB Volunteer Project Managers, monitor and support ongoing environmental projects around the world, ensuring successful outcomes. Develop and implement recruitment and training for new EcoWB Volunteer Project Managers, and coordinate assistance to resolve project issues as needed. Actively participate in EcoWB Projects Committee monthly meetings, participate in reviewing and scoring of project proposals, and present recommendations for new projects to the Board for approval. Project Program Development: Identify opportunities for new environmental projects in cooperation with local community partners, design initiatives, and coordinate their launch. Develop and propose project program policies and procedures in coordination with the Project Committee. Outreach & Partnerships: Build relationships with international community organizations, businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders to expand our programs and reach. Volunteer Engagement: Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to engage and recruit EcoWB volunteers in project activities. Grant & Funding Support: With the support of the Development Director, assist in identifying and applying for grants and funding opportunities to support ongoing projects and program growth. Assist Project Managers with providing project descriptions and success stories to the Marketing and Communications Committee and Development staff to illustrate EcoWB’s story through specific impacts. Monitoring & Reporting: Track Project Program impact through monthly, annual, and grant-specific reports, maintain detailed records, and communicate results. Minimum Qualifications & Skills Passion for environmental conservation and community-led sustainable development. Experience in nonprofit work, environmental initiatives, international development, and/or project coordination. Familiarity with norms and standards for international development. Basic budget management experience (or willingness to learn). Strong organizational and leadership skills. Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote work environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), videoconferencing, and basic project management tools. Professional proficiency in written and spoken English. Preferred Additional Qualifications & Skills Familiarity with fundraising or grant writing. Experience with environmentally vulnerable communities. Experience tracking project impacts and reporting outcomes. Experience working with volunteers from a range of backgrounds and community organizations. What We Offer Opportunity to lead and expand meaningful environmental project program. Flexible remote work schedule (with availability during normal U.S. business hours). Opportunity to work with highly motivated volunteers and help communities around the world address environmental challenges. How to Apply Interested candidates should submit a resume and a brief cover letter outlining their experience and interest to HR@ecowb.org . In the cover letter, please include your expected salary or hourly rate for the position. Applications will be accepted through March 21, 2025 and reviewed in the order received until one or more acceptable candidates are found. On the basis of the information submitted, promising applicants will be interviewed by members of EcoWB’s review team. Work is expected to begin early to mid-April.
February 13, 2025
EcoWB’s Technical Advisor, Dr. Ian Hendy, has helped bring the mysteries of the UK’s underwater forests to life in a stunning new documentary, Forests Beneath the Waves. Commissioned by Natural England and produced by a team of filmmakers led by Dr. Hendy from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS), the film offers a rare and breathtaking look at the kelp forests surrounding the Isle of Wight, Devon, and Cornwall.  Kelp forests are some of the most productive habitats on the planet, supporting a vast array of marine life and playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change. The documentary, now available on YouTube, highlights the importance of these ecosystems and the threats they face. “When Natural England approached me to make this exciting film, I was thrilled. I immediately realized the significance and impact this could have for policy, protection, and outreach,” said Dr. Hendy. “We encountered everything from beautiful sharks, stunning juvenile rays, mesmerizing cuttlefish, and even tuna fish! The vibrant life in our UK kelp forests rivals that of tropical coral reefs.” The film captures a hidden world beneath the waves, showing undulate rays and gobies sheltering from predators, a nursehound shark securing her egg, and a seal hunting for food. These forests provide essential nursery grounds and shelter for marine species, while also buffering coastlines from storms, increasing oxygen levels, and absorbing carbon dioxide. Despite their resilience, kelp forests are under serious threat from warming oceans, pollution, coastal development, and overfishing. Their decline is already being observed in the UK, making conservation efforts—and awareness—more urgent than ever. “Climate change is a big factor,” said Marina Rees, Marine Higher Officer at Natural England. “I have witnessed the increase of bleached kelp during heat waves, and escalating storms destroying entire parts of kelp forests. In the film, we even captured the crystal jellyfish—normally found in the Pacific—now appearing in UK waters due to rising temperatures.” With its stunning visuals and powerful message, Forests Beneath the Waves showcases why protecting these ecosystems matters—not just for marine life, but for the planet as a whole. Watch the full documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iOQSjtVsLs