Silia Woodside’s journey from a small Bahamian fishing village to a leader in coral restoration is a story of passion, science, and a deep commitment to saving our oceans.
Silia maintaining an ocean-based coral nursery as part of coral restoration activities
Growing up in the small fishing village of West End, Grand Bahama, Silia Woodside’s connection to the ocean began with childhood adventures while leaping off docks, swimming in the turquoise waters, and fishing with her family. But as she grew older, her curiosity became a more profound commitment to marine preservation, particularly coral reefs. These vibrant underwater ecosystems, critical to ocean health and coastal protection, needed help. And Silia knew she could make a difference.
Today, Silia is a Research Scientist at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, working with the Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub (BCIH), a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, the Cape Eleuthera Institute, and the Perry Institute for Marine Science. At The BCIH, she engages in coral restoration, cultivating coral fragments in nurseries to replenish degraded reefs. Her work is not just scientific; it's hands-on and deeply rooted in community engagement as she gets local stakeholders involved in the restoration activities.
At the upcoming Latin America and Caribbean Aquaculture Conference in Medellin, Silia will present her research on “The Effect of Source Colony and Coral Tree Nursery Position on the Growth Rate of Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) in South Eleuthera.” Her study aims to shed light on the optimal conditions for coral growth, contributing valuable knowledge to global efforts in coral conservation.
“I want others to see the ocean as a living, breathing entity that needs our help” Silia says.
Her advice? Dive in with passion and purpose. Every small effort to restore our oceans is a step toward a more sustainable future.
Silia monitoring corals in a land-based coral nursery
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At BioMar, we believe that equality is crucial to change the world. That is why we are proud to announce our participation in the Lead the Future campaign, led by Above & Beyond. This initiative aims to close the gender gap in STEM by empowering young women to pursue careers and leadership roles in these fields.
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Helen Hamilton, Global Sustainability Manager at BioMar Group, is one of our North American women who has made significant contributions to the aquaculture industry
Risha Alleyne’s journey from Trinidad and Tobago to becoming a leader in Caribbean aquaculture is driven by her vision for sustainable food security and her commitment to empowering communities through innovation and education.
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At BioMar, we are honoured to work with a group of brilliant and dedicated North American women driving aquaculture development.
BioMar is proud to support women who are passionate about aquaculture and marine science. In 2023, we announced our sponsorship of Women in Caribbean Aquaculture (WiCA), a network of female professionals and students dedicated to advancing the aquaculture industry in the region.
Monica Juarez Ceballos, R&D Senior Scientist at BioMar, is one of our North American women that helps advance the aquaculture industry. Originally from Mexico City, Monica has spent the past 16 years living in Norway, where she has integrated herself in the Nordic country without loosing any of her Mexican side.