Marine Bio Zoe

This was the first summer since 2019 that I have not gone to work in Greece on a turtle conservation project 🐢
It was a really strange experience to see friends from previous years returning to work on the project while I stayed behind to finish my masters 🐠
I felt a real mix of emotions some sadness and jealously about not being there, some excitement about finally completing my masters and a lot of nostalgia thinking about previously turtle seasons and all the amazing people I met 🥳
So this post is a little to celebrate those people, and a little bit to celebrate me! I am unbelievable proud of what I have achieved this past year and can't wait to see where I end up next 🦈
Many of the people I have met in Greece over the years have become lifelong friends and have really helped me to get through this year and have supported me in my decision not to return to Greece this year! Thank you for all the love wonderful people 🥰

I'm half way through my Dip A Day in October challenge for 🌊

I have enjoyed every minute so far! I've done some really lovely dips and am excited to discover more local swimming spots in the next couple of weeks 🩵

I am doing this challenge to raise money for surfers against sewage and help to support their work protecting our oceans! 🤿

MRes Applied Marine Science

The last two years have been some of the hardest years of my life. I have struggled with my mental health while tackling numerous challenges relating to my masters research 🌊

At the same time I have really tried to work on my professional development and have achieved this I never thought possible 🐟

I was lucky enough to volunteer for Wembury Marine Centre, taking people out on rockpooling expeditions! I also volunteered at Plymouth aquarium as part of the dive team! 🤿

Through my masters work I was able to connect with a community group and help to support them improve the biodiversity of their local river 🌲

And...in the middle of all of this I took 3 months out to become the manager of a sea turtle conservation project in Greece 🐢

So I suppose I'm here to say though this was a really difficult time for me, I am also incredibly proud of all I have achieved in this time and I am ready to discover what comes next! 🌍

Look at this gorgeous girl 🐙

Camino is a common octopus at Plymouth Aquarium ❤️

She is beautiful and has a very sassy personality 🌊

Octopuses are incredibly smart, can recognise different people and have very strong feelings towards them 😁 sometimes ever spraying water at people she doesn't like 😂

They can change colour depending on their mood, to camouflage and to communicate with one another 🌈

They can solve puzzles and squeeze through tiny gaps 🧩 when Camino is fed at the aquarium she is given her food in a toy or puzzle so she has to figure out how to get it 🥰

What an incredible creature Camino is, there is so much to learn about Octopuses and the amazing skills they use to survive 🌍

An absolutely stunning walk on Dartmoor today 🍂

This week has been a difficult one, I've been very demotivated and a little anxious 🌳

But some time outdoors really helped set me right again and I'm ready for the week ahead 🌿

Enjoy your weekends ❤️❤️

HELLO HELLO!
I have taken some time off since Christmas to spend some time with my family and friends and to set my goals and intentions for the year 🌎
I've really enjoyed this time off but its time to get in gear for the year to come 🐋
Here are some of my goals...
- complete my masters
- post more regularly and teach others about marine life
- get outside and exercise more
- do things that make me smile

What are you goals for this year? 🥰

Loving the Christmas vibes at the aquarium 🌊

I have been volunteering at Plymouth Aquarium for just over a year now and I love it! 🐠
I have the opportunity to interact with the public, teaching them about amazing marine life and encouraging them to learn more about the oceans surrounding them 🦀

Working at the aquarium over the Christmas period is so much fun and all the cute decorations just add a little more sparkle 🎄

Education and outreach is really important to me and I think one of the most vital parts of conservation. Without we cannot expect people to understand the importance of the ocean and the work being done to protect them 🌎

Tell me a cool fact you know about the ocean in the comments and we can help educate one another 🐋

Have yourself a sustainable Christmas 🎄
Not a very catchy song but something that is very important to me 🎅

Here are some of the simple things I do during the christmas period to make it more sustainable!
- Homemade christmas crackers: we make them using toilet roll tubes and put our own little gifts/chocolates inside
- Make sure you buy recyclable cards and wrapping paper, nothing glittery!
- Use paper tape, its also super sticky but can be recycled in most places!
- Get local veggies, and meat (if you eat it)!
- Buy gifts that are going to be long lasting and well used, try to avoid plastics where you can!

Those are my 5 top tip, I'd love to hear some of yours! 🥳🎄🎅

This time of year I always dream of travelling and exploring new places! I love thinking back over this years adventures and planning new ones for next year 🌎
Where would you most like to explore next?