Fisheries & Policy Trustee

The Manta Trust

Formed in 2011, the Manta Trust is a UK-registered charity coordinating global manta and devil ray conservation efforts. Its mission is to collaborate with affiliates around the world through research and education and by providing expert advice to drive the policies and practices necessary to conserve manta rays, their relatives, and habitats. The Manta Trust is working towards a sustainable future for the oceans where manta rays and their relatives thrive in healthy, diverse marine ecosystems.

The team is comprised of a diverse group of researchers, scientists, conservationists, educators, and media experts, working together to share and promote knowledge and expertise. By conducting long-term, robust scientific studies, the Manta Trust aims to build the solid foundations upon which governments, NGOs and conservationists can make informed and effective marine management decisions.

As charismatic megafauna, manta rays act as a flagship species, helping to motivate and engage people with the wider message of marine ecosystem conservation. Through this top-down approach, the manta ray becomes the catalyst for change, educating people about the solutions needed to ensure the long-term survival of these animals and the underwater world we rely upon.

With a network of ~30 affiliate projects worldwide, the Manta Trust specialises in collaborating with multiple parties to drive conservation as a collective, from businesses and governments to individuals and local communities.

About the Role

Have you worked in fisheries conservation, management, or research? Do you have experience shaping or implementing fisheries policy at the international level through conventions such as CITES or CMS, regionally through FMOs, or nationally within government? Are you passionate about the role that effective policy and governance play in delivering positive conservation outcomes? If so, the Manta Trust would love to hear from you.

The Manta Trust is seeking an individual with significant expertise in fisheries policy to join its Board of Trustees and help guide the strategic direction of its conservation work. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute knowledge and experience to an organisation dedicated to safeguarding mobulids and marine biodiversity through robust science, effective advocacy, impactful education and a collaborative approach.

The organisation is supported by two core departments. The Operations Department, led by the Deputy Chief Executive, oversees fundraising, finance, communications, marketing, and database management. The Conservation Programmes Department, led by the Director of Conservation Programmes, delivers the Trust’s fisheries and policy work, research, education and outreach initiatives, and coordinates with the Trust’s global network of affiliated projects.

In this role, the Trustee will provide strategic oversight and expert guidance on fisheries policy matters, participate in regular committee meetings with the Conservation Programmes team department, and act as a trusted advisor to the Director of Conservation Programmes Fisheries & Policy Team. The Trustee will also attend quarterly Board meetings, where strategic priorities, governance matters, and key organisational issues are discussed, and provide updates on the progress and activities of the Conservation Programmes Department. The Manta Trust is therefore particularly interested in hearing from individuals with deep practical experience of fisheries governance and policy development, ocean and environmental science and/or education, and a strong commitment to advancing effective, evidence-based conservation.

Role Details

• Location: mainly remote, with some travel to London.
• Remuneration: this is an unpaid voluntary role; however, reasonable expenses may be reimbursed.
• Time Commitment: four board meetings per year, and three committee meetings per year (with each meeting lasting around two and a half hours), plus attendance at occasional events and meetings with key stakeholders.
• Reports To: Chair of the Board of Trustees.
• Interview Date: w/c 12 October 2026, held in London or online.

Principal Responsibilities

The formal duties of the Board of Trustees collectively are to:

• Ensure that the Manta Trust complies with its five-year plan, governance, charity law, fundraising, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Work collaboratively with the Conservation Programmes Team, Executive Leadership Team, Board of Advisors, and fellow Trustees.
• Provide expert strategic direction and oversight regarding the charity’s engagement with the response to fisheries policies.
• Support the development and implementation of conservation strategies that are informed by effective interaction with relevant policy frameworks.
• Offer insights and contribute to discussions on conservation projects and priorities, particularly concerning their fisheries and policy content.
• Safeguard the good name and the values of the Manta Trust.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Manta Trust.
• Ensure the financial stability of the Manta Trust.
• Act always in the best interests of the Manta Trust and declare any conflicts of interest.

Expectations

To fulfil the role of Trustees effectively, all Trustees are expected to:

• Attend Board meetings, currently held quarterly. Meetings in Q2 and Q4 are conducted via video call, whilst meetings in Q1 and Q3 are hosted in person in London. When Trustees are unable to attend Q1 and Q3 meetings in person, they can join via video conference, but the preference of the Board is for these to be face to face meetings.
• Attend conservation programmes committee meetings, held every four months. Meetings are generally conducted via video call but may occasionally be hosted in person in a location agreed upon in advance by committee members.
• Attend and participate in the Board’s annual strategic planning day, held on a weekday (usually in London).
• Occasionally attend functions on behalf of the Manta Trust, and liaise with other Trustees and the Senior Team in between Board meetings.
• Read Board papers in advance of meetings and come prepared to discuss key points arising from those papers.

How to Apply

Please send a CV and a covering letter outlining your interest in the role and how your skills and expertise meet the requirements to the Deputy Chief Executive, Kate Polley, at kate.polley@mantatrust.org.

Closing Date: Friday 2 October 2026, 17:00 BST.

More information: https://www.mantatrust.org/careers