I’ve been one of the Anglesey Sea Zoo biologists since 2007, first as an Aquarist, then Senior Aquarist in 2009. Part of my work and training has taken me to the Philippines to implement aquaculture programs for various crustacean species, and at the Anglesey Sea Zoo I am responsible for the development and management of the Lobster Hatchery of Wales as well as coordination of the Shark and Ray Breeding Programs both within the aquarium and as part of a national working group. I also contribute to the veterinary needs of the animals in our care and the development of graphics and exhibit interpretation.

I hold a joint honours degree in Marine Biology and Zoology and an MSc in Shellfish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture. I love working with and teaching school children about the marine environment. I also like messing about with cameras, travelling, and have what some might consider an unhealthy obsession with Southern Comfort!

I’ve been working at the Anglesey Sea Zoo since late 2008, first as a volunteer, then a part-time aquarist before finally becoming a full time aquarist and core staff member. I’m responsible for developing and looking after the aquarium systems and displays, a fantastic job if you like playing with pumps, pipework and other shiny bits of kit. My other duties include general husbandry, and being nice to people!

I hold a bachelors degree in Zoology, and have researched fish visual acuity systems and food recognition, I’ve also worked at various other jobs which include pet shops and building sites, the latter experience comes in surprisingly useful here! I don’t consider fish keeping as just a job, more a passion, which has seen me keeping freshwater tanks at home for several years, and lately tropical marine systems as well. Having grown up on Anglesey I’ve never been far away from the sea, and its always fascinated me. Away from work I’m a keen hiker and also love climbing, martial arts and recently diving! However, nothing beats throwing myself down a river is a big bit of plastic, I call this white-water kayaking. 

I have been part of the Anglesey Sea Zoo team since 2007 and since my arrival began to reshape the education and community liaison work we do here. I have over a decade of ecological, field conservation and education work experience which has taken me to over 10 countries where I have managed staff, ecosystems, tourism activity, logistics and environmental monitoring programmes on many globally important nature reserves and protected areas and hands-on work with endangered species.

I am passionate about conservation and environmental education, with many of my previous positions involving lecturing and teaching environmental, conservation and ecology to various levels and ages, both in developing countries and elsewhere. My experience includes collaboration with the World Bank and the United Nations in Mauritius and Seychelles, as well as the establishment of the most successful environmental education program for local people in the whole of Republic of the Maldives. Both of my last overseas posts included the joint supervision of the first environmental outreach centres and associated education programs in two countries in the Indian Ocean. I’m responsible for the coordination and delivery of the education, conservation, outreach and advocacy programs running within and from the aquarium as well as their delivery. I hold a Bachelors degree in Biology/Ecology and an MSc in Marine Environmental Protection. I am a Trustee of the North Wales Wildlife Trust, am learning Welsh, and confess to being an adrenalin junkie and enjoy hitting people (in a controlled way) whilst training for a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

My involvement with the Anglesey Sea Zoo began in early 2007. Previously I have worked, doing various things, from crewing a fishing trawler to coordinating the construction of laboratories, in over 15 countries from arctic to equatorial latitudes. Over 10 years of working away from the UK led me to managing some of the world’s most ecologically important protected sites. My work has included clients such as the World Bank in Africa and the Indian Ocean, and the French and Seychellois governments, as well as the European Union and various statutory bodies within the UK.  My last overseas post included the joint supervision of the construction of Seychelles’ first environmental outreach centre.

I am at present chair of the North Wales Wildlife Trust Marine Policy Advisory Committee, and vice chair and director of two tourism associations in North Wales. I am passionate about environmental education, animal welfare,  and advocacy at community level and am perusing this via outreach and education programs based at the Anglesey Sea Zoo. I’m also responsible for the coordination and data management of all the research programs running at the aquarium. I hold a bachelors degree in Marine Biology and a PhD in Catchment and Coastal Ecology. I love to be towed on a plank (wakeboard) behind boats and to dive with really big fish, I occasionally shout at the telly …