CCT welcomes this year’s Intern - and welcomes last year’s Intern back as its first-ever Youth Ambassador!

The Chagos Conservation Trust is delighted to welcome its intern for the 2025-2026 academic year, Jenny Tait. Jenny is taking a 'year in industry' between her second and third year of her marine biology degree at Swansea University, and spent the summer working on a turtle research project in Sri Lanka. She will work half the week with the Trust, and the other half in the Marine Conservation Ecology Lab (known at MarCEL), part of the university's Bioscience Department.

Jenny is the second intern for the Trust, after its internship programme launched last year in partnership with Swansea University. Having an intern for a year will increase the Trust's capacity, whilst teaching the skills needed to run a marine conservation charity - important for students wanting to work in this sector post-graduation.

Last year's intern, Martina Reina-Canitrot, became such a valued part of the team she will return as the Chagos Conservation Trust's first ever Youth Ambassador next month, alongside completing her final year of her marine bology degree at Swansea University. Martina also spent her summer doing research work on seagrass restoration across locations in the Netherlands and Denmark, then in the Dutch Caribbean.

Jenny will get involved in all areas of the Trust's work over the next year, from social media to data platform management, attend meetings from Board to conservation forums, plus assist with hosting online talks and events. "I am incredibly excited to be joining the Chagos Conservation Trust this year, and look forward to contributing to a variety of projects," Jenny said.

"I have always been passionate about the environment, and have been involved with conservation projects throughout my education. This opportunity will help deepen my understanding of this work in a charity setting, and I am eager to learn about all aspects of the organisation's work. I look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the Trust's team."

"We are all excited to welcome Jenny to the team - and welcome Martina back!" Chagos Conservation Trust Director, Sarah Puntan-Galea, said. "Last year's pilot internship scheme was such a success, we decided to make the position permanent. It means we have a tried'n'tested structure for Jenny, and will not loose the investment in skills by retaining our interns.

"Martina will help us devise a CCT Intern Alumni Group, led by a Youth Ambassador, who can organise events specifically for students and young marine biologists, who we hope will become members and encourage to help conserve, protect, and educate the world about the unique environment of the Chagos Archipelago and its surrounding waters, plus the precious wildlife that call it home."