Yasmin Sallaberry

Being born and raised in Brasília, in the heart of Brazil and far from the ocean, my family and I always spent our holidays at the beach whenever we could. Some of my favourite childhood memories are by the sea, and that’s where my love for the ocean really began. Even though I always dreamed of being closer to marine life, I never thought it was a realistic path for someone studying and building a career so far from the ocean.

Everything changed during the pandemic. I dove headfirst into learning, attending every online lecture and workshop on marine wildlife that I could find, led by Brazilian and international experts. That immersion opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn’t even realised existed. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to internships, volunteer work and projects involving marine tetrapods while completing my Veterinary Medicine degree, followed by a postgraduate qualification in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation. Every step brought me closer to where I had always hoped to be, having the opportunity to care for and protect the animals I had such love and admiration for.

After becoming a Vet and working in the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine animals, working closely with cetaceans in the wild and supporting their conservation became my ultimate goal. Offshore work opened that door for me, and along the way I also happily discovered an unexpected passion for bioacoustics. Today, I’m incredibly grateful to be working as a Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Operator, contributing to marine conservation while continuing to learn every day. Joining OSC has been another exciting step in that journey, allowing me to work alongside people who share the same commitment to protecting marine life and further expand my experience and professional growth within the field of conservation around the world.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me planning my next trip, enjoying a good pastry, or spending time with friends. I have always felt a strong connection with the water, whether it is at the beach, a lake, a waterfall or any place surrounded by nature. Being near the water brings me a deep sense of peace, and one of the things I appreciate most about my work is the opportunity to combine my love for the ocean with the chance to contribute to the well-being of these incredible animals. I’m always excited to learn something new, and I feel even more inspired by the ocean as I did when I was that little girl dreaming about it from hundreds of miles away.