CSS Behaviour Change - Zoomarine Portugal

Established in 2025 the Center for Species Survival (CSS) on Behaviour Change, hosted by Zoomarine – a zoological institution with over 30 years of experience in inspiring and actively contributing to marine conservation - serves as a global hub for integrating behavioural sciences into conservation practice. The Center, developed in close articulation with the IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Task Force, aims to connect conservation practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to advance behaviour change approaches that address critical biodiversity challenges.

About our work

The CSS Behaviour Change prioritizes behaviour change interventions for marine fauna conservation. The main role is to bridge the gap between behavioural science and conservation practice by developing innovative research methods, building practitioner capacity, and providing evidence-based policy recommendations.

The Center works in close collaboration with the IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Task Force to establish standards for designing and implementing behavioural change interventions in biodiversity conservation contexts.

Through formal partnerships with local and national authorities, as well as with other international institutions, CSS Behaviour Change integrates behaviour change principles into existing conservation initiatives while building coalitions to advance these approaches in environmental policy. By connecting practitioners across regions and disciplines, the Center aims to create a community of practice where expertise and lessons learned are shared effectively. The CSS Behaviour Change approach is to identify behaviours that most impact species survival and develop targeted interventions that align conservation goals with human behavioural patterns, significantly improving outcomes where traditional approaches have shown limited success.

Supporting the Species Conservation Cycle

1
Marine Conservation Behaviour Change
Building on Zoomarine's experience with its Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, this initiative identifies and addresses key human behaviours impacting marine fauna conservation, in Portuguese-speaking countries. The CSS Behaviour Change aims to work with fishing communities, governmental and non-governmental institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to understand actual conservation behaviours rather than stated intentions. By analysing data from community engagement patterns, the Center can identify behavioural intervention points that can significantly improve marine species conservation. The project aims to deliver evidence-based, culturally appropriate interventions that provide conservation practitioners with practical solutions for enhancing marine species protection.

                                                              
2
Capacity Building
This cornerstone initiative establishes the first comprehensive framework for integrating behavioural science into conservation practice. Working closely with the IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Taskforce, the CSS Behaviour Change will develop a competency registry for designing and implementing behaviour change interventions. The Center will conduct specialized training programs for conservation practitioners while establishing standards for intervention design, implementation, and evaluation. Through dedicated forums and workshops, the project aims to build a robust professional network that connects behavioural science expertise with on-the-ground conservation needs, significantly enhancing practitioner effectiveness in addressing complex conservation challenges.

                                                              
3
Conservation Communication Innovation
This forward-looking initiative explores how emerging communication approaches can advance marine conservation through behaviour change. The CSS Behaviour Change will support research on the effectiveness of innovative formats such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and digital influencers in driving conservation behaviours. Starting with a local approach, and through partnerships with local schools, visitor experiences at Zoomarine, and targeted social media strategies, the Center will test and refine communication interventions that go beyond awareness to create measurable behavioural outcomes. Results will be shared through the Centre's international network to inform global best practices in conservation communication, helping practitioners worldwide leverage modern media tools for maximum conservation impact.

                                                              

Meet our team

João Neves

Director of Science and Conservation

Biologist by training, João Neves is the current Director of Science and Conservation at Zoomarine Portugal. João holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and Master's degrees in both Didactics and Conservation Biology. His leadership extends to various international associations, where he serves as Vice-Chair of the AMMPA's Education Committee and board member for both the EAZA Conservation Education Committee and AIZA Technical Committee, leveraging these positions to advance collaborative conservation efforts worldwide. His expertise lies at the intersection of social sciences and biology, with a particular focus on conservation psychology and communication theory, where he challenges conventional thinking in pursuit of shared environmental conservation goals.

Director of Science and Conservation

Biologist by training, João Neves is the current Director of Science and Conservation at Zoomarine Portugal. João holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and Master's degrees ...

Edgar Ribeiro

Species Survival Officer

IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Task Force Programme Officer

B.Sc. in Biology and Geology, with a specialization in Environmental Education, Edgar has 15 years of experience at Zoomarine Portugal, where he has developed expertise across multiple disciplines including conservation communication, animal welfare, and public engagement.

As Programme Officer for the IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Task Force, Edgar supports communication efforts, coordinates social media strategies, and facilitates collaboration between members and partner organizations. He also directly supports the development of strategic Task Force projects and initiatives.

Species Survival Officer

IUCN SSC CEC Behaviour Change Task Force Programme Officer

B.Sc. in Biology and Geology, with a specialization in Environmental Education, Edgar has 15 years of experience at ...

Isa Pinho

Species Survival Head Officer

Holding a B.Ed. and a postgraduate degree in Educational Sciences and Training, Isa has spent over 15 years working in Zoomarine Portugal, where she currently serves as the Head of the Educational Department. Currently pursuing a master's degree in Communication, she is particularly interested in exploring how new technologies can be harnessed to amplify the message of behavioral change, making it more accessible and impactful. In addition to her extensive experience in education and environmental initiatives, served for one year as a Programme Officer for the Behaviour Change Task Force.

Species Survival Head Officer

Holding a B.Ed. and a postgraduate degree in Educational Sciences and Training, Isa has spent over 15 years working in Zoomarine Portugal, where she currently serves as ...

PRIORITIES