Bernardo Nascimento, Foundation Manager, Curator and Head of Education at Odysseo: “Conservation is about gathering the biggest team in the world"

When you think about Odysseo and the Odysseo Foundation, what comes to mind first?

I think of an extraordinary chapter of my life filled with meaningful challenges, achievements and learning experiences.
Being part of the teams that launched Odysseo and later helped establish the Odysseo Foundation has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career.
But contributing to the creation and development of the Odysseo Foundation alongside a dedicated team was especially significant. Helping to shape a new organisation, define its purpose and witness its impact grow was a unique and rewarding experience. Helping to shape a new organisation, define its purpose and witness its impact grow was a unique and rewarding experience.
I am deeply grateful for the people I met, the opportunities I received and everything Mauritius has taught me along the way.

This year marks Odysseo Oceanarium's fifth anniversary. What does this milestone represent?

It is a remarkable achievement.
Having worked on aquarium projects around the world and visited many institutions through my involvement with the European Union of Aquarium Curators, I can confidently say that what Odysseo has achieved in just five years is exceptional.
Its commitment to education, conservation and science has been outstanding from the beginning. The creation of the Odysseo Foundation only three years after opening is something I have never seen elsewhere in the industry.
What is particularly impressive is that Odysseo's impact cannot be measured by the size of the aquarium itself. Its influence extends far beyond its walls.
A recent example is the invitation extended to the President of the Odysseo Foundation to represent Mauritius at the prestigious Our Ocean Conference in Kenya alongside government representatives. This reflects the credibility and recognition that Odysseo and the Foundation have earned internationally.

What has been the most challenging experience of this journey, and how has it helped you grow?

Without question, helping to establish the Odysseo Foundation was the most challenging part of the journey.
While I had experience opening aquariums, creating a foundation was completely new territory. We were launching several major projects simultaneously while operating with very limited financial and human resources.
The first year was particularly demanding. We needed to build a sustainable structure, secure funding, support existing projects and ensure the organisation could grow responsibly.
It was challenging, but it pushed me beyond my comfort zone and exposed me to areas of work I had not previously experienced. Those challenges accelerated my professional growth and taught me valuable lessons about leadership, resilience and collaboration.

Is there a person, encounter or story that truly embodies the spirit of Odysseo?

For me, the spirit of Odysseo is best represented through collaboration.
One story that illustrates this is our partnership with SECORE International. I first met Dirk Petersen in 2002 when he was developing coral propagation techniques through sexual reproduction. We reconnected twenty years later and quickly realised we shared a vision for coral restoration in the Western Indian Ocean.
Together with the General Manager of Odysseo, Stéphane Robert and several regional partners, including the University of Mauritius and ECOSUD, we developed an ambitious project for the region. It took nearly two years to secure funding, but in 2024 we successfully raised US$1.4 million to launch the initiative.
This story demonstrates two important lessons. First, meaningful impact is only possible through strong partnerships. Second, when passionate people unite around a shared purpose, even limited resources can be transformed into significant action.

One of those initiatives is coral restoration. What progress has been made so far?

The results are very encouraging.
This year alone, around 30,000 coral larvae were reared. These were transferred into nearly 400 seeding units and planted in locations including Flic-en-Flac and Belle Mare.
The programme continues to expand, and we expect restoration efforts to reach additional sites around the island in future seasons.

What lessons from Mauritius and the Indian Ocean will you take with you to Europe?

Living on an island teaches you to think differently about resources, sustainability and long-term responsibility.
I have been particularly impressed by the commitment to reducing waste and single-use plastics. Rodrigues' ban on single-use plastics is inspiring, as are the sustainability initiatives implemented by organisations such as Attitude Hotels and Odysseo itself.
Island communities often face constraints that force innovation. They understand that reducing consumption is often more important than simply recycling.
Another aspect I admire is Mauritius' cultural diversity. People from different backgrounds coexist, communicate and collaborate in ways that are both practical and inspiring. That diversity is one of the country's greatest strengths.

If you could leave one message for Odysseo's teams, partners and supporters, what would it be?

Continue investing in people, projects and partnerships.
Collaboration is essential. Even when partnerships are not perfect, we must remain committed to working together because the challenges we face are too important to tackle alone.
I often say that conservation requires humility. No single organisation will solve these problems independently.
One of my favourite quotes is: "Conservation is about gathering the biggest team in the world." I strongly believe that.