About
Positions
Marine & Fisheries Scientist Dec 2017 -
• Part of a 3 person scientific crew that conduct annual offshore surveys throughout our EEZ. This involved the satellite and acoustic tagging of large pelagics such as sharks, tuna and sailfish, plankton surveys, visual censuses and the collection of oceanographic data. Up to 15 days at sea.
• Inshore survey work on SCUBA looking at abundance, site fidelity and ecology of key marine species around Ascension • Deployment of acoustic array assessing movements and energetics of our endemic rock hind grouper and yellow spotted moray eel. This involved the catching, sedating and surgically tagging of both species from a RIB.
• Collection of morphometric data from recreational catches, including otoliths and gonad samples for aging and histology work.
• Data collected has fed into the development of our MPA proposal and I have been involved in the creation of our MPA management plan.
• Single handedly set up and inshore fisheries advisory committee (IFAC) that comprises me, 1 additional staff member and 8 local fishermen. The aim is to provide advice and guidance on inshore fishing regulations based on scientific data collected and the knowledge from those fishing the waters of Ascension.
• Recording of cetacean and elasmobranch sightings
• Use of ROV for habitat surveys
• Currently learning to operate our in-house drone.
• Outreach and conference work both locally, in the UK and on St Helena.
PAM and MMO Assisstant Jun 2017 - Aug 2017
• Analysis of passive acoustic monitoring recordings of odontocete and mysticete whales in British Columbia.
• Assisting with troubleshooting PAM software (Lucy and Audacity systems).
• Photographic identification of pod and matriline orca groups and individual fin and humpback whales.
• Identification of other marine mammals including sea lions, seals and sea otters.
• Recording of observed individual behaviors.
• Land and boat surveys.
• Assisting with the running and maintenance of the facility.
• Fixed term volunteer position.
Seasonal Ecology Surveyor Apr 2017 - Sep 2017
• Seasonal surveyor, contract working on a well-known road extension in the East of England, dealing with bat and reptile surveys during the summer following graduation.
• Monitoring Bat activity and reptiles at various sites, recording presence, absence, sex, abundance and environmental data, roosting locations, and foraging areas.
• Reporting findings back to the site supervisor.
Seasonal Ecology Surveyor May 2014 - Sep 2016
• Working on behalf of public & private sector clients assessing sites for endangered or protected species of bats, newts, reptiles and dormice.
• Carrying out dusk and dawn surveys across the South and South West, recording data and reporting back appropriately.
• Supporting initial Phase 1 & 2 habitat surveys.
• Contact with clients over the phone and in person.
• Co-ordination and management of other surveyors in the absence of my line manager.
• Completed 3 full seasons.
Education
University of Southampton 2013 - 2017
Field of study: Marine Biology & Oceanography
Degree: Bsc (Hons) and MSci (intergrated Masters)
2:1 (Honours). Studying full time at the National Oceanographic Centre (NOC) I was exposed to various laboratory and fieldwork techniques. I studied modules including Marine Ecology, Marine Vertebrates, Phytoplankton & Primary Production, Quantitative Methods in Biological & Environmental Sciences, Inshore Fisheries and Aquaculture, Tropical Marine Biology and Ecological Marine parasitology. As well as studying for my degree, I taught scuba diving for the Solent University dive club (BSAC). My placement with the Inshore Fisheries Conservation Association (Southern IFCA) entailed analysis of data relating to lobster fisheries, looking for any changes in current stocks with respect to size and abundance, as well as survey work, assessing the condition of clam populations in Poole Harbor, in support of fisheries management. I also gained experience on-board survey boats using CTDs, Niskin bottles, plankton bottles, side sonar, Secchi disks, chemistry probes, trawls, grabs and dredging equipment and obtained my RYA power boat level 1 certification. I also obtained my off-shore working certificates in line with STCW 95 regulations. Experience of species ID, specifically benthic and intertidal species was gained in every year of my degree. My final year project, for which I obtained a 1st, involved stable isotope analysis of δ13C and δ15N values along the baleen plates of 3 species of whale, to infer migration and feeding ecology.