Executive Director
Alex Anderson
Alex was raised in Cotton Tree Village near Belmopan where he currently resides with his wife and son. Alex graduated from the University of Belize and served as Student Government President during his senior year. He is a Masters Candidate for a degree in Fish and Wildlife Management at Montana State University pending completion of his thesis on Turneffe's Queen Conch population.
Alex joins Turneffe Atoll Trust after working for the Ministry of Natural Resources for the past three years. Prior to working the Ministry, Alex has worked in the tourism sector at Turneffe where he worked with Turneffe’s stakeholders on numerous conservation projects including the establishment of the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve and a survey of the atoll's lionfish population.
Alex comes from generations of Turneffe-based fly-fishing guides. Through his family connections and his experiences, Alex has developed a deep passion for Belize's incredible natural resources and the sustainability of Turneffe Atoll. As Executive Director, Alex will oversee Turneffe Atoll Trust's mission and all activities through his office in Belize City.
Conservation Director
Nigel Martinez
Nigel joins Turneffe Atoll Trust after working as an accountant for the Belize Airport Authority for the several years. While working for the Airport Authority, Nigel oversaw the executive functions for the Belize Federation of Fishers (BFF) in his spare time. For the past several years, Nigel has worked diligently to support Belize's commercial fishermen and to see that they have viable representation through BFF.
In his capacity as Turneffe Atoll Trust's Conservation Director, Nigel will provide continued executive support for the Belize Federation of Fishers and Belize's commercial fishing sector. BFF will remain an independent organization with all decision done through the BFF Board of Directors. Hopefully, this will offer BFF the support needed to take their organization to the next level in developing sustainable fisheries in Belize.
Nigel will also oversee the Fishermen and Ecotourism Alliance (FETA) working to combine the efforts of these two important stakeholder groups at Turneffe to protect essential habitats at Turneffe Atoll needed for eco-tourism and a healthy commercial fishery.
In addition to his responsibilities with BFF and FETA, Nigel will work out of TAT's office in Belize City on a variety of other projects. Nigel notes... “It will be a great pleasure to be able to dedicate my time and energy to the fishermen of Belize and the habitat they and so many other Belizeans rely on."