Meet the Alliance Team

Throughout 2023, we are sitting down with members of the team to learn about their backgrounds and work for the Blue Nature Alliance. This February, we hear from new teammate Bene Agulto, Regional Lead of Asia Engagements. 

Tell us about your educational and professional background. What drew you to the field of ocean conservation?

I completed my PhD in Communications and taught in universities in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. I was also a researcher in multimedia online roleplaying games back in the early 2000s and more recently in science and health communication.  

I am a scuba diver with almost 500 dives now. I have dived in remote islands of Indonesia and the chilly waters of Iceland and volunteered in marine conservation work in Malaysia and Indonesia where I first learned how to identify tropical marine species and perform biophysical surveys.  

In 2017, when I was on a one-month dive trip in the Philippines, I saw my first whale shark. It was a magical moment seeing such a huge shark swimming gracefully over me. A year after that, I resigned from my university job and went to France to take a master's degree in marine conservation. It was not a hard decision at all for me because I knew that I was doing something I was passionate about. I even have a tattoo of a whale shark on my arm as a reminder of that turning point in my life and my role in protecting our ocean.   

What is your role in the Blue Nature Alliance and what are you currently working on?

 As the Regional Lead for Asia, I am focused on looking at opportunities where the Blue Nature Alliance can support the governments to make meaningful advances toward the 30x30 global goal. I support government efforts to designate new or expanded large-scale ocean conservation areas or improve the management of existing ones.  

Three months into the job, I am now in the advanced scoping stage for two Southeast Asian countries and one South Asian country, with two others in the initial scoping stage. I am also cultivating partnerships with other organizations who share the same objectives as the Alliance to strengthen our work in Asia. 

Can you share some of your highlights from the fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5)? What were some of the most exciting commitments announced at the conference?

IMPAC5 was a truly exciting event. From the thrilling plenary talks by respected leaders in marine conservation to the informative plenary sessions by different organizations and community leaders.  

It was particularly wonderful to hear the announcement made by the leaders of the 15 First Nations and the government of Canada on its plans to protect a swathe of marine area from Vancouver Island to the Canada-Alaska border, especially because this is a site the Blue Nature Alliance is supporting. It is a template that exemplifies the need to delicately balance the conservation of critical habitats and the needs of the indigenous communities while also recognizing their vital role as its custodians.  

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

In my frequent conversations with different governments in Asia and other organizations, I am motivated to realize my projects in the pipeline, with clear and measurable outcomes that benefit the environment and the people. I am also looking forward to supporting the capacity development of the partner governments, civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, local communities, and all those who are responsible in protecting our ocean so ‘my’ whale shark will remain safe and still swim gracefully.