Steven Amos, 30, married with four children, two boys and two girls, from the Ewau (Eagle) clan on the West Ward of Panaeti Island in the Lousiade Local Level Government, Milne Bay Province. After completing grade 10 at Misima High School in 2009 and not securing any job opportunity nor pursuing further tertiary or technical education, Steven returned home and lived a normal village life. This farming and fishing life soon changed when he first joined CICI to do marine conservation work on October 28, 2017 as a volunteer. “I was in the village, when the CICI Marine Manager, Edward Cardwell, Hayley’s husband came around with other Panaeti CICI staff to the village and asked me if I was interested to do a voluntary job with them. I accepted the offer without thinking that my choice at that time would take me this far,” Mr Amos said beaming with smile. Since joining CICI he gradually worked his way up to be the Head Ranger and having successfully completed at the University of Papua New Guinea, a certificate course in Biodiversity Conservation.

Having 3 years of field experience now at CICI with a background in a Bachelor of Science through University of Papua New Guinea, Jay Jay is very well equipped to handle the data and reporting portions of CICI’s turtle program. With aspirations to go back to Uni for the 2021 school year, Jay Jay will be able to take all he has accomplished and learnt from his years here and apply to the theory and training he needs to complete his bachelor degree once the 2020-2021 season is concluded.

Toby was born in 1970 and began school in 1977, he completed his schooling in 1982 and after returning home for many years to Panapompom Island, Toby joined Conflict Islands Conservation Initiative. "My aim is to learn more about turtles and marine life. I am happy to be working in conservation with CICI now".

Patrick was born in 1990, went to Panaeati Primary and was lucky enough to go all the way through to Grade 10 in 2009. From then until 2016 he was in his village helping gardening, fishing, and sailing out to other islands for purposes.
While he was in the village, he reminded himself, that he wanted to find a job apart from all he was doing in the village because he was already bored of it. Then along came a Marine Biologist to his island and recruited him for CICI. He joined as part of the turtle conservation team in 2017 and is very proud to be a part of CICI and to be working with wildlife. Whilst working he has learnt much and enjoyed his time with the turtles. He honestly loves his job and is looking forward to work with other wildlife, not only turtles.

Jonathan wanted to join CICI as soon as he heard about it. He wanted to learn all he could about turtles and the project in the Conflict Islands. It is very important to him as he has one young son. He conserves and helps protect his island for his family and people. He is a great ambassador for what CICI represents and will spread the conservation message to his people to stop taking turtles.

A single mother of one, Dorothy is very proud to be our first female Conservation Ranger. Her progression from cook to one of our leading rangers is something that has impressed all who work with her. Having only completed Grade 8 in school, left Dorothy with few options for employment and being from a remote village in the Engineer group it was very hard for her. She had her daughter in her early 20’s and is now a single mother who during the turtle season can now provide for herself, her daughter and the extended members of her family and community due to her position with CICI.

One of the elders from his community in the Engineer group, Henry is a quiet and respectful man with resource management and conservation at in his heart. Having seen the reduction in resources over his life time, Henry truly understands why we need to conserve what is left of his owns communities resources as well as what we have at the Conflict Islands.

Previously fishing for shark fin, sea cucumber and turtles, Koyo is now proudly protection the important marine life of the Conflict Islands through his work as a Conservation Ranger. When he goes home to his village he tells his children and community about the good work he dose for the marine life and for the future generations. Now understanding that marine resources and how to manage them is great knowledge he is proud to share with his community.
A young father of 2 he feels a great responsibility to protect their futures and is an important member of the CICI Conservation Ranger Team.