Kenrick — A Conversation with Kenrick Mark Coleman Features Jane Salazar Mcloughlin
The Kenrick Mark Coleman Foundation
Kenrick — A Conversation with Kenrick Mark Coleman Features Jane Salazar Mcloughlin
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a born and bred Belmopanese; they call me Hani Banani from Double T (Tiga Town), because my name, while it is spelt J-A-N-É (yep, the e has an accent), is pronounced as HANI. I am the second of 4 children to an accountant and a bank teller. Most people know my mom from her years of working at the Belize Bank, and because we all look so much like her, we kya go no weh without hearing “you da Ms Kam pikni?” to which we always proudly say yes.
My sisters and I all studied sciences and are all alumni of the Natural Resources Program at the University of Belize. While we have had the same interests, we have all forged our own paths and are building our own reputation throughout our little Belize. My brother, Giovanni, is too well known for his exuberant youthfulness and friendliness everywhere he goes.
I fell in love with the underwater world as a young teen, my first and longest love (apart from my family that is :) ). I can still vividly recall the first time I donned a mask and snorkel at Shark Ray Alley with my father and saw so clearly the life right under the surface of the water. First, there was fear that “a shaak wa get mi” then as they effortlessly glided past us, unperturbed by our presence, I felt heartbroken that I seemed like just another object to avoid, but ecstatic that I could get that close to these amazing creatures. It was silly and it was beautiful and in all the years now of interacting with our magnificent Caribbean sea and beautiful Belizean people, no experience has ever been the same; and it is that which drives my long days and sleepless nights, my need to help grow and better our little Belize. It is the constant heartbreak of seeing our natural resources mismanaged and ecstasy of finding practical solutions that has led me to focus on marine conservation and fisheries throughout my education and career.
I’m writing this from a small apartment in Oviedo, Spain, during the COVID-19 lockdown. In case yu kya tell, I miss home bad :)
2. You are currently pursuing your Master’s Degree in the Erasmus Mundus International Masters in Marine Biological Resources program (IMBRSea), majoring in Management of Living Marine Resources. What do you believe is important in this role?
Belize is a young and small country with a huge impact on the rest of the world. We may seem hidden away on the isthmus, straddling Central America and the Caribbean, and our artisanal fisheries may not qualify as a big player in the global fishing industry, but given our reef’s global importance, the advancement, or lack thereof, of our small scale fisheries industry plays a vital role. My role here, while representing Belize, is to advance my skills and broaden my networks to be able to better contribute to the growth and sustainable development of Belize’s fishing industry, especially as we face unprecedented challenges in this climate crisis era.
3. Tell us more about your academic life? How did you receive the scholarship? Why did you choose this particular Program? When did you commence studies? What subject areas are focused on? What’s your relationship like with fellow students?
The IMBRSea programme, coordinated by Ghent University in Belgium, is the biggest international joint Masters programme in the field of marine sciences. It is organized by leading European universities and supported by the European Marine Biological Resource Center (EMBRC), and funded by scholarship offers through the EMBRC and European Union. The programme is a mandatory exchange program throughout Europe.
What ultimately drew me to the IMBRSea programme is that it links biology of marine organisms and environmental studies with subjects in marine policy and planning, economics and management. The prospect of participating in a mandatory exchange program also felt like an excellent way to observe and experience different approaches to fisheries management, as well as expose myself to ideas and perspectives from different parts of the world and different cultures. And that’s exactly what it’s been like! No where else have I ever been in a room with so many people from so many different countries, all always engaging in stimulating discourse.
I commenced in August of 2019 and spent my first academic year at the University of Oviedo, in northern Spain and will spend my third semester at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in Galway, Ireland focusing on ecosystems-based fisheries management. The fourth and final semester is the thesis semester and will be decided and finalized later in the summer, but I hope to be able to conduct my thesis work on artisanal fisheries in Belize.
My course mates hail from every nook of the globe: Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America. I am proud to say that I am the first Belizean to be enrolled in the IMBRSea program, and I highly recommend it to my fellow Belizeans! Even though we move around between semesters, I have bonded with many people who have become like family. This was especially important in the recent months with the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Describe your transformation process from little Belize to Spain?
Little fi true! Belize cu fit ina Spain musi almost 10 times. To be honest, I’ve had a lot of support so the transformation to Spain hasn’t been very difficult. I have been away from home for long periods before and I also have my husband traveling with me. I also speak Spanish, though the program is English-taught.
What I miss the most is our food and weather. If you scroll through my social media you’ll see me trying to get people to smuggle me over some plantains and Teakettle coconut oil, or L&R fi send mi wa lee Old Master Extra Mature. Probably one of the most difficult things has been the 17°C Cantabric Sea vs our 25°C Caribbean waters. I’m never shy to express just how much me koh fra di tropics!
5. What are the challenges you face as a student in Europe? Opportunities?
As a part of my program, I have the chance to conduct various professional practices to bolster my research skills and broaden my networks. I am surrounded by experts in marine and fisheries science, many of which are leading names in their respective fields. Not to mention, I get to live and travel in Europe that is an entirely different landscape and culture than our region. It’s all a very fascinating learning experience.
I thought the most challenging thing would have been visas, but I knew that coming into the program, especially because of the mobility. Visa requirements for every country is a bit of a drag but the scholarship covers those expenses. Then the pandemic happened! While I hadn’t planned on going home until later in the year, being told that I could not because of the State of Emergencies and then being in mandatory quarantine would be an emotional strain that I’m sure no one was prepared for. I worried for my family at home and for friends that were now alone in other countries, and I empathize with anyone that lost someone during this time.
6. Why is your degree important to Belize’s National Progressive and Sustainable Development?
Our low population density and relatively advanced conservation efforts provide a rare opportunity to develop a truly sustainable fishing industry. This benefits not only Belizeans, but visitors alike through the tourism industry. However, as other areas move rapidly towards resource depletion, the rest of the region looks to other resource rich places to be exploited. This major, and experience, is important to progress fisheries management and their implications to marine biodiversity in Belize, especially in considering the socioecological aspects of marine and fisheries conservation; to explore and understand tried and tested and innovative strategies to monitor and manage our marine resources.
7. You worked at the University of Belize Environmental Research Institute (UB ERI) for many years, holding various positions including Marine Biologist. Share a little story of your tenure there.
My time at the UB ERI has molded me into where I am now professionally, and significantly contributed to my personal growth. I started volunteering at the UB ERI in 2009. Though intimidating at first, I came to truly admire and respect the work that the people at UB ERI were (are) doing and as I integrated with the ERI family, I was trusted with various responsibilities that taught me about work ethic and teamwork.
While with the UB ERI, I met many local and international researchers and scientists from many disciplines through the Calabash Caye Field Station (CCFS) at the Turneffe Atoll, as that is where the UB ERI’s marine research and monitoring projects operate from. I also assisted with lectures and field methods courses and got a glimpse into the next few generations of Belizean conservationists and resource managers. The CCFS is truly a Belizean treasure. Through networks and committees, and most importantly, by working with the fishermen at Turneffe Atoll, I became familiar with various strengths and gaps in Belize’s marine resource management.
8. In one of my recent articles, I stated: ‘It is important to realize that the majority of Belize’s younger population continue to be very mediocre as it relates to becoming holistically educated and cultured, personally and professionally.’ What’s your perspective on this?
At this time, Belize lacks the capacity to nurture young talent in the field of [you name it — it’s very limited] and we must understand that we have to look overseas to grow professionally. But that comes with so many obstacles it can be very disheartening. I think the more important question to ask is, “Why?” Why do our young people feel that way and what exists, or does not, that promotes that mediocrity? If our leaders are mediocre, how can we expect any different from our young people? Lack of proper foresight, planning and policy that legitimately benefits our future and that of future generations instead of the short-sightedness that benefits only the few is what keeps Belizeans from progressing for better quality of living, education and equality. The media also plays a big role in this. They are all in their own rat race to get the most attention, the most likes and shares, that they rarely adequately or accurately follow up on and report on the most important social issues that Belizeans face. Progress must employ a bottom-up approach, not a top-down approach where what’s left trickles down for the bottom to fight over.
9. What can our country expect from Jané Salazar Mcloughin in the next five years?
As for the next 5 years, who knows? If the opportunity arises to conduct a PhD that will allow me to do my research in Belize, then our country can expect Jané Salazar Mcloughlin, PhD (haha). Apart from that I do want to return home, though with the ongoing recession who knows what kind of employment will be available in the foreseeable future? I do know that I don’t want to be another “drained brain” from Belize. My personal and professional development is a result of the hard work of many others, it is my responsibility to contribute back to the growth and development of our beautiful Belize.
10. What four words do you have to say to young Belizeans?
Work hard, play hard.
That’s really silly to say, I know, but something I think everyone has to remember is that your work (education or career) is a big part of your life, but it is not the only thing in your life.
WORK HARD: Do your absolute best at e-ve-ree-thing! My mom always told us growing up, “wateva yu do, do it propa, even if yu no like it, caz da so people wa rememba yu.” Accept opportunities AND challenges wholeheartedly, get yourself out of your comfort zone, try things even if you’re not sure about it. At least that way you’ll know for sure whether or not you enjoy it. Always commit to doing your absolute best and never be afraid to ask for help.
PLAY HARD: And while your work will take up a lot of time in your life, always remember to take a step back and reflect on where you are, how you got there, and where next you want to be. Take time for yourself for your own mental well-being. You’ll encounter so many frustrations and so many things wa vex up yu: government, your boss, people on Facebook, di hataz dem, even your own insecurities. Reflection is growth so no mek stress kill yu, mek ih push yu.
