As my fingers start typing, my hands trembled, tears fell down my face, my brains went blank, then it finally hits me that it was time, time to accept that I am moving on. Although, it saddens my heart to leave the ATF, I am however confident that I came to the formidable ATF team and I made an important contribution to seabird bycatch research. Today I stand tall and proud to say thank you to all the ATF teams and the entire seabird conservation community, for your patience, support and most importantly your work ethic and high quality performance and professionalism.
It has been quite an awesome experience to work with such driven and passionate people who are exclusively concerned with saving the majestic and yet elusive seabirds of the pelagic sea. Through my work with the ATF I have learnt much of seabird conservation and today I can boldly say I am one of the thousands of seabird champions. I am taking the experience and skills acquired here to my new working environment. I will continue to spread the message of seabird conservation.
I have no doubt that the indomitable and unstoppable ATF team remains the only international team of experienced and knowledgeable at-sea instructors that is actually working together with fishermen to design best-practice measures to reduce seabird mortalities within fisheries. I feel privileged to have worked with such wonderful team of experts. I have learnt a lot from each and every individual member of the ATF. The ATF team has impacted me positively and has changed my perspective of life. I now look at life differently more so than when I first joined the ATF.
As much as it saddens me to leave the ATF, I have no doubt that the unstoppable ATF will continue to make impact in the seabird conservation fraternity. My utmost love for the elusive and majestic albatross will continue to overflow and not cease as a result of my departure. Again, I am grateful to each and everyone at the ATF for their contribution to my life as an aspiring scientist.
Hasta la vista! Siempre seré un amigo al equipo ATF (I will always be a friend to the ATF).