01925 813211
info@irishseaconservation.org.uk
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Meet the team
Rowan Byrne
Project manager
Rowan Byrne is a marine and freshwater biologist from Dublin, Ireland, with over a decade of experience studying marine ecosystems. He recently published research on using satellites to track endangered sea turtles and has taken his expertise all over the world, working with a broad range of people whose livelihoods rely on coastal and marine resources. Rowan is also a published underwater photographer with his own website. In 2005 the producers of Hollywood movie Pirates of the Caribbean asked him to provide biological guidance on nesting turtles, to make sure they were not disturbed during filming.
Dr Greg Whitfield
MPA network planner
Greg is a geomorphologist who joined Irish Sea Conservation Zones in May 2009. He has recently been awarded a PhD for his research on the impact of environmental change on the Bergantes River in Spain over the last 200,000 years. Greg is experienced at using ArcGIS to interpret remotely sensed data such as aerial photographs and airborne LiDAR. Having made the natural progression from river basins into the marine environment, he is currently enjoying applying his expertise to the Irish Sea Conservation Zones project, as well as acquiring new skills in a diverse and challenging role.
Matthew Sutcliffe
Communications manager
Matthew joined the team in September 2009. Previously he worked for almost seven years at the Mersey Basin Campaign, where he was responsible for publicity, branding, web content and communications strategy. He also worked on several high profile events and edited and wrote much of the Campaign’s environmental magazine, Source NW. Earlier in career he worked briefly in publishing and advertising, and at a leading photography agency in New York.
Kieran Bell
GIS officer
Kieran has a background in marine environmental science and holds a Masters degree in GIS (geographic information systems) and spatial analysis. He has worked as a specialist GIS officer on both freshwater and marine environmental projects, including the Dwr Cymru Drought Contingency Plan in Wales and the Thames Water’s Resource Management Plan. He is an expert in using both ArcGIS and Mapinfo, and also has expertise in mathematical modelling and remote sensing. Kieran has recently gained his BSAC sports diver certification and hopes to take his first Irish Sea dive in early 2010.
Laura Bates
Liaison officer (Greater Manchester and Lancashire)
Originally from Scotland, Laura is a marine biologist who spent many years working in the United Arab Emirates. She first worked as a project and research coordinator for a marine NGO and then became an environmental consultant on various mixed-use coastal and marine developments in the Maldives, Australia and the Middle East. She worked closely with large-scale developers, industrial organisations and governments, giving her a sound appreciation for the different ways people value the sea. Laura hopes to draw on these skills and the findings of her Masters degree to support Irish Sea Conservation Zones.
Dr Emily Hardman
Liaison officer (Cheshire, Merseyside and Wales)
Emily recently spent four and a half years on the island of Rodrigues in the Indian Ocean, undertaking research on coral reef ecology and fisheries. After finishing her PhD she went to work for a local NGO on the island. Working with the Rodrigan government and the fishing community she helped identify marine protected areas, which would bring about a sustainable fish and octopus fishery. She returned to the UK in 2008 to start a family. Having worked closely with sea users abroad, Emily is keen to support such an initiative back home.
Holly Deary
Liaison officer (Cumbria and Scotland)
Originally from the Borders, Holly is the most recent member of the team, having joined in November 2009. She comes from a physical geography and geosciences background and graduated in 2008. Since then she has spent time travelling, including volunteering with a sea turtle project in Mexico. She has also worked as a reindeer herder in the Scottish Highlands.
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