Working in Ocean Conservation with Nathalie Graham

In honour of International Women’s Day tomorrow we chatted with five of the talented women at Ocean Wise for their advice and insights on working in the industry.

In this blog we’re highlighting one of our awesome Ocean Wise Seafood Partner Relations Manager, Nathalie Graham!

How did you come to work in ocean conservation?

I grew up in a landlocked country and was always interested in wildlife but my first diving experience made me fall in love with the ocean. From there I did focus my studies and career towards science driven fields.

What have you learned in your role so far that has surprised you?

Post-undergrad I was working for a shark research organization and had just published my first paper. I was so excited, but in the months that followed I realised my article had very low readership. It was at that stage I understood the importance of communicating scientific work to the wider public. So, I switched gears to focus on science communications.

Do you have any tips for staying positive and managing eco-anxiety?

I think the more I read broadly around science the less anxiety I have. Our news is so focussed on negative pieces so all the amazing scientific work being done for a better future is often hidden away. There’s so much hope and positivity you just need to look in the right spot. I’d recommend checking out the New Scientist magazine or a podcast from people working in conservation!

Do you have any advice for people looking to get into the field?

One piece of advice I have is to work on your social and public speaking skills. The success or failure of a project often relies on the relationships you can foster and the ability to successfully communicate your message. Conservation never happens in a tidy vacuum so get comfortable working with others. With that in mind, kick your ego out the window, you can’t solve the world’s issues yourself so don’t be too proud to ask for help.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working in ocean conservation?

There’s nothing cooler than seeing that moment someone connects with our planet. One afternoon I taught a small girl to look through a microscope at some microplastics samples, she was only about six. Her parents called her to go for lunch and she called back “not yet, I’m busy science-ing”. She stayed for another twenty minutes, and I just knew in that moment she’d found a passion.