Cetacean Biology and Motherhood: An Interview with Rita Ferreira
By Margaux Monfared
In a region known as Macaronesia, located in an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, lies an Island named Madeira. Geographically positioned in the African Tectonic Plate, the waters are frequently inhabited by up to 29 species of cetaceans, equating to roughly 33 % of globally known species. The preservation of this diversity is therefore imperative, considering fatalities of marine mammals elsewhere.
Rita Ferreira, a biologist and mother of two in Madeira Island has been working with cetaceans for over 14 years. Her focus is on ecology in insular environments, in the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira/ARDITI and MARE Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre. Rita has collaborated on 16 publications and is about to embark upon her PhD journey. Continue below as she unveils her first hand experience of working as a woman in cetacean biology.
Rita Ferreira working at sea
You have worked with cetaceans for over 14 years; describe the path you took to where you are now.
I did my Bachelor in Lisbon and came to Madeira Island to do my Masters in cetacean ecology. I then worked as a whale watching and nature guide for several years. This meant I could pursue my passion of being out at sea in direct contact with cetaceans, my main objective since a young age. I also worked as a fisheries observer on a 4-month trip aboard a fishing boat in open sea in Newfoundland and in tuna fishing boats around Madeira. Both were incredible experiences from a biologists (and woman’s) point of view. I then returned to research, where I work with a fantastic group of young and dynamic people that are exploring areas such as movement of species in an insular environment, population health status, cetacean acoustics and microplastic contamination of top predators.
Rita working out in the field as a fisheries observer on a Tuna Fishing boat.
What does a day in the life of a cetacean biologist look like?
We have two kinds of day. Either an office-work day, where I spend my time on the computer, organizing and analysing data collected during field trips, organising volunteers that join our group and, in a smaller amount, applying for grants and writing or reviewing papers. Or a fieldwork day, where we go out on a small zodiac and spend between 4 to 6 hours at sea, following groups of cetaceans and collecting biological data, photographs, biopsy samples or deploying satellite transmitters. We obviously all prefer the fieldwork, but we tend to spend a considerably longer amount of time on the computer…
You will be starting a PhD on Sperm Whales, tell us a bit more about your research
I work in Madeira Archipelago, a group of islands that, together with the Azores, Canaries and Cape Verde, form the Macaronesian Region. It is a highly rich area in terms of number of species of cetaceans, and many of them seem to use all these islands as only one open population. My goal is to study the habitat use and movements of sperm whales both in Madeira Archipelago as well as between islands and evaluate its health status. This species was hunted in Madeira until recently (30 years ago), and is one of the most iconic cetacean species, with its huge fluke going high up in the air just before they deep dive to more than 1000 meters deep to hunt for giant squids.
Sperm Whale Fluking!
How do you hope your voice and work, as a woman in your field will influence others?
For what I see around me, I have had several experiences that are not that usual for women. Working on-board ships with all-men crews or going out at sea while pregnant seemed very natural to me, but surprising for other people. My goal with sharing these experiences is to show that, for me, these experiences turned out to be fantastic ones, and that limitations are many times imposed mainly by ourselves, women, or by the ones that are close to us. I am lucky enough to have a great mother and a great husband that both supported me on these experiences, which is a good incentive as well.
You are currently on maternity leave; describe what it has been like working throughout your pregnancy
On my first pregnancy, I worked as a whale-watching guide, so I decided to stop working on-board after it was obvious that I was pregnant, so I didn’t make anyone uncomfortable. I stopped working around 5 months pregnant. On this pregnancy, I did field trips until I was almost 7 months pregnant, and my movements started to be limited. But I worked at the office on both pregnancies almost until the end. I was lucky to have healthy pregnancies and to feel great, and this participation in every activity made me feel useful. I just recently returned from maternity leave and really felt that I never left the team, since they kept me on track of everything that was going on during the time that I was out.
Images to show some of the various species of cetaceans that can be sighted on Madeira Archipelago.
What other endeavours/hobbies/dreams are you pursuing?
As a full-time working mum, my hobbies include things that I can do with my children, because there isn’t much time for anything else. I live in a sub-tropical island, which allows me to enjoy nature all year around, so we do spend a big part of the weekend out at the beach or the forest. Our dogs also join us in many of our adventures. We love to travel to other countries as well, which can be challenging at the moment. My dreams are just to continue all this: a great work where I feel appreciated, great work environment, and a loving family to return to at the end of the day.
Striped Dolphins having fun off the Coast of Madeira Island
Who or what do you draw your inspiration from?
I tend to be a pessimist or to let anxiety and depression affect me from time to time. My husband, on the other hand, is a true optimist, and although this can sound like a cliché, he inspires me to see things from a different perspective and helps me many times to deconstruct those negative views I have and shows me that they are, mainly, in my head, and not a true representation of the reality.
Which ocean species is on your bucket list to see?
I already have quite a list of cetacean species observed, since in the island that I work on there are several species that pass by, and between my work here and in other places, I have seen 24 cetacean species. But I would love to see gray or right whales, which are not seen here. And some more orcas and humpbacks would always be welcome.
Examples of some of the cetacean species that Rita has been lucky enough to observe!
Whose work has influenced and inspired you?
Professionally, I take my inspiration from the 2 top researchers of my group, Filipe Alves and Ana Dinis. I have known them since the beginning of my career. The way they conduct their research, share their opinions and experiences, and have evolved in their field, while at the same time balancing this with family and quality time, is an inspiration. Besides being fantastic researchers and top in their field, they are good friends and extremely supportive colleagues.
What is one thing you wish someone had told/taught you a long time ago?
You don’t have to be perfect to be good enough.
You can delve deeper into Rita Ferreira’s published research by following her work on ResearchGate.