Sam Plowright

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT SAM PLOWRIGHT

I\'m currently studying a Bachelor of Science, BSc, in Ocean Science and Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth and am in my second year. I have gotten involved in research surrounding marine mammals and have a specific interest in short beaked common dolphins and minke whales. My next year at university will entail the development of a dissertation/report where I will use data for several different factors to investigate all of the effects on marine mammals. On top of that, I have a passion for the general protection of our oceans and the development of marine protected areas (MPAs) to create further protection and the potential advancement in the protection that these areas can give. The setup of the National Marine Park is an example on this advancement in the United Kingdom. As part of my degree, I have developed key skills in MATLAB and QGIS to analyse a variety of different datasets. These skills have been put into practice using data that I have gathered from completing field trips aboard Research Vessel Falcon Spirit using equipment such as a Van Veen Grab and a Van Dorn Water Sampler. To develop my research skills, I have completed volunteering with the wildlife cruise company, AK Wildlife Cruises based in Falmouth in my home county of Cornwall, which has led to me completing the MARINElife identification course in November 2022. This has helped me to gain critical skills in research and communication to all groups of people from a large variety of different backgrounds and this has helped to promote myself and the further protection of Falmouth Bay with the huge plethora of marine mammals that are present in the area, which range from Atlantic grey seals to the fin whale. I hope to gain a career in the world of marine mammal consultation or research to help to develop further research into the spectacular animals that are part of the marine mammal group.