Rob joined our Skomer Island team back in 2019 as a long-term volunteer and has now returned as our Visitor Officer. For National Marine Week, we asked Rob about his experience on the island, his journey into marine conservation and why he is passionate about protecting marine life.
National Marine Week Showcase - Meet Rob
For this year's National Marine Week, we are celebrating the work of our young marine conservationists at The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales!
Tell us about your journey into marine conservation!
"I've always been fascinated by the sea. At university, I took several modules in marine conservation as a way of exploring this area of the environment, and by the time I left I knew that I needed to work somewhere with a marine element. As such, I ended up on Skomer in 2019 as a long-term volunteer. Later, the pull of the marine conservation side of the role is part of what brought me back as Visitor Officer in 2023."
What is it like working on Skomer Island?
"The best bit about working for The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales and more specifically on Skomer, is that every day is different. As a volunteer, I was able to see and experience animals in a close-up and insightful way which I hadn't previously thought possible. My favourite day as a volunteer was a very memorable one watching a Grey Seal give birth on the Wick beach, whilst carrying out our seal monitoring round. It was a very special feeling which will stay with me for a long time. "
What's your favourite marine species?
"It has to be the Grey seal! They are incredibly strong and mobile animals and have such an inquisitive face. Their will to survive as pups, clinging to the rocks in the pounding waves is truly amazing."
Atlantic grey seal pup in Pigstone Bay © Beth Thompson
Why are you passionate about protecting our seas?
"Our seas are an essential part of our planet's ecosystem and form the groundwork for all life. The diversity of our oceans are incredible - birds, cetaceans, fish, crustaceans and many more taxa call it their home. However, they are threatened by us - for example by over-fishing, pollution and marine traffic. We do not have the right to damage such a unique and fragile ecosystem and we must do everything we can to combat this."
Inspired by Rob's Skomer experience? Find out more about long-term volunteering on Skomer!