About | Falmouth Marine Conservation

WHO WE ARE...

Meet our wonderful team of hardworking, enthusiastic and motivated volunteers who strive to help to conserve and protect our oceans through outreach and citizen science.

Meg - Co-Chair and Founder of FMC

"I founded the marine group due to my passion for the oceans and what it holds and how conservation can support and protect these places. Conservation starts at home. Working in the local area, with a small, committed group of people will enable us to produce some good science, with relatable results. It is vital, now more than ever, to get everyone involved in helping protect our ocean for future generations. I hope with the awareness raised, data gathered, and litter removed from our beaches, that the Falmouth Marine Conservation group can contribute to the global marine crisis by taking action on a local scale."

Georgi - Onboarding

"My passion for the ocean and conservation comes from my background as a skipper and sailing instructor. My years living on, in and under the water inspired me to study Marine Biology which brought me to the University of Exeter, Cornwall – I could think of nowhere else I’d want to study this fascinating subject. I first joined FMC in 2019 as an outreach volunteer and went on to become a coordinator in 2021. During my degree I have realised the importance of involving the community in conservation initiatives and so I jumped at the opportunity to be more involved with FMC."

Chris Sharpe - Pacific Oyster Coordinator

"I have been the FMC lead for the Pacific Oyster Surveys, since February 2019. Pacifics are a non-native species, now feral and affecting the intertidal biodiversity dramatically in the Fal. Surveys are monthly. My role is to recruit teams of volunteers, organise and run the surveys, gathering data and culling, to prevent new growth.

I am also a FMC committee member, helping to steer and manage the range of developments projects and activities run by FMC. My involvement is as a citizen scientist, passionate marine activist, having spent most of my early life in, on or under the water! I now get to weave together my joy of the marine, with some practical and active purpose."

Jo Morley - Admin team

"Hi everyone – I’m Jo, an ocean lover, campaigner and diver. I’ve recently joined the FMC team supporting across events, projects and admin. In my professional life, I currently head up the Marketing & Campaigns team at City to Sea, a Bristol based NGO where I’m responsible for running national and international campaigns to prevent plastic pollution. I’ve been involved in a number of research and conservation projects around the world, and having moved back home to Cornwall in 2022, I wanted to get more involved in local conservation projects to protect and restore the stunning and biodiverse coast where we’re lucky enough to live! I love the work that FMC do to connect the local community with the natural environment and how we can all take action to protect it. "

Jessica - Outreach coordinator

"I’m a second year Zoology student, starting my placement year in September but despite my terrestrial based degree course, I have a new-found love and appreciation for the ocean. I am passionate about educating younger generations about our oceans in hopes that they will one day take over our mission to protect them."

James - Whale Watch coordinator

"I’m a current MSci Marine Biology student at the University of Exeter. I have a passion for all marine life, whether it be cetaceans and birds seen from windy headlands, tiny sea slugs in rockpools, or all the amazing animals I try to photograph while snorkelling and diving! I hope I can help get the local community involved with all the wonderful activities we run and foster an appreciative relationship between the local community and ocean wildlife in the area! Please drop by one of our Seaquest Sundays to say hi and see what we can see!"

Sam Davies - Treasurer

"I have always had a love of the outdoors and a passion for protecting nature and the wildlife, both terrestrial and marine. This love of marine wildlife only grew with my time living in Falmouth as a masters student. During this period I spent much of my time exploring the coast, enjoying being in the sea and learning about the incredible breadth of marine habitats and biodiversity that can be found in Cornwall. With my work background being in environmental economics and previously accountancy, I currently volunteer as FMC's Treasurer."

Grace - Head of Communications

“Having lived in Cornwall all my life, I’ve grown up with a deep appreciation for the outdoors and the stunning Cornish coastline—an environment that sparked my lifelong respect for marine life. While my academic background is in Media and Communications rather than conservation, I’ve always been passionate about using storytelling, marketing, and digital platforms to drive awareness and positive change.

As Head of Communications at FMC, I lead a small team of passionate communicators dedicated to raising the profile of our work, engaging new audiences, and championing marine conservation across our channels. I’m particularly focused on using the power of social media to highlight the incredible efforts of FMC and inspire more people to connect with and protect our ocean.”

Ellie - Rockpool team

"I am a MSc by Research student at the University of Exeter currently investigating the ways pharmaceuticals commonly found in sewage impact our local marine wildlife. My current research has given me a better understanding of how sewage that gets released locally at Falmouth beaches can negatively impact marine life. I am passionate about understanding our impact on the ocean and how we can change this. I believe communicating and discussing our influence on the environment is a fantastic way to progress towards better protection for local waters. I have been a keen rockpooler and fossil hunter since I can remember, exploring the Cornish and Jurassic coast. As a rockpool assistant I can share my knowledge of the vast array of marvelous marine organisms found in Falmouth from sea hares to spider crabs and spread understanding of our influence."

Tasha Phillips - Committee member

"I am a marine biologist and documentary filmmaker. My marine research has a focus on big fish, including tuna, skate and sharks, with a PhD on ocean sunfish ecology. As a National Geographic Explorer I'm passionate about science communication and raising awareness around our oceans. My husband and I live in sunny Falmouth, and we love being part of the FMC's conservation and marine outreach work."

Vicki - Committee member

"I joined FMC a couple of years ago and have really enjoyed being involved with activities such as seagrass snorkels and rockpool rambles. I have always been fascinated by the marine environment and its great to be able to contribute practically through volunteering. I also work for Falmouth Harbour as their Environment Manager so the two activities work really well together helping me to see the harbour from a number of perspectives and understand more about the benefits and use of citizen science."

Sam – CATT Project Coordinator

"Hi everyone! I’m Sam and I’m the Assistant Project Coordinator for the Cetacean Acoustic Trend Tracking Project at FMCG! I’m currently heading into my final year at Plymouth University and am studying Ocean Science and Marine Conservation, during which I’m completing a dissertation looking into the effects of marine traffic on the numbers of common dolphins in Falmouth Bay. I also work for AK Wildlife Cruises as the Cetacean Researcher and Educational Officer and help to run the trips out in Falmouth whilst passing on as much knowledge as I can to further all our knowledge about the marine mammals around our coastline! I have been around the coast all my life having lived in Cornwall and hold a level 2 powerboat driving license too and I love more than anything to be out on the water uncovering all the amazing marine life that is around our coastline to hopefully bring forward some better protection as well and I cannot wait to get involved more with FMCG to do this!"

Lawrence Eagling - Website editor

"Having grown up on the south coast of Sussex exploring rockpools, the marine environment has always been part of my life. This led to my career path in marine biology and a PhD in native oyster restoration. I now work in scientific outreach, creating short documentaries to promote research and share local stories. After moving to Falmouth, I wanted to get involved in the FMC, raising awareness for conservation issues and increasing accessibility to the oceans."

Cam - CATT and Education & Outreach Coordinator

"Hi! I’m Cam, Coordinator for the Cetacean Acoustic Trend Tracking Project, as well as Education and Outreach here at FMC.
I’m also a Marine Mammal Medic with British Divers Marine Life Rescue, where I’m training to be an advanced medic; I’ve had some incredible experiences working with BDMLR and learned so much about marine mammal rescue, and the threats facing them. If you were curious, my favourite marine mammal is the vaquita, but my favourite whale is the northern right whale!
As well as working with FMC and BDMLR, I also work with the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute in Spain.
I absolutely love working with FMC, because education is probably one of the most important aspects of marine conservation, and it’s so wonderful being part of such an awesome team!"

Rei - Photographer, Blog writer & Education and Outreach Volunteer

Hello! My name is Rei and I am a Marine and Natural History Photography student at Falmouth University. I am a Photographer and Blog Writer as well as an Education and Outreach volunteer at Falmouth Marine Conservation! I was born and raised in New York, but I’ve always had a love and appreciation for the ocean. Back in New York, I dedicated a tremendous amount of time to youth wildlife conservation education and I am eager to continue that work here in Cornwall. Now as a wildlife photography student, my aim is to leverage my work to educate and inspire the general public on all things relating to nature!

Sean Nelson - Admin Coordinator

Hi, I’m Sean! I’m currently studying Marine Biology at the University of Exeter and act as an Admin Coordinator for FMC, where I help in the day-to-day running of the group. I’m passionate about all things marine, and it’s rewarding to be involved in a local conservation group where the community comes together to protect our oceans. I was born in Singapore and only recently moved to Cornwall - I was never expecting it to be home to such incredible marine life! I believe that effective conservation involves many small steps, so it’s great to be a part of one of them!

Anna Long - Seagrass Project Coordinator

Hello, I’m Anna! As an advocate for all living beings, the seagrass outreach project is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the often-overlooked creatures that call our oceans home. I have an undergrad in Marine Biology and since moving down to Cornwall have become deeply passionate with marine ecology. In the future I would love to work in habitat restoration. Snorkelling through seagrass meadows and kelp forests reveals an incredible world—where every organism, big or small, plays a vital role. I’m excited about raising awareness of these important ecosystems and helping others connect with the wonder beneath the surface. Outside of FMC I enjoy bird watching, swimming, diving, painting and exploring the natural world.

Pav - Rockpool Coordinator

Hi! I’m Pav, a final-year marine biology student at the University of Exeter. Growing up, I loved exploring Cornwall’s rocky shores and discovering the amazing wildlife within their rockpools—memories that shaped my passion for conservation.

Cornwall’s wildlife is truly magical but, is facing growing pressures, making conservation more important than ever. As David Attenborough said, “No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” I’m excited to share this experience with you and explore the wonders of Cornwall's rockpools together!

Eloise - Blog writer

Hi, I'm Eloise! With a background in marine academia, I'll be writing some scientific blogs for FMC. With a MSc in International Marine Science, I'm currently completing my divemaster to better support on-the-ground conservation work. Community-led projects and science communication are what set my heart alight, and I'm so excited to be growing our collective ocean literacy here in Falmouth. I can't wait to share my deep-rooted passion for British marine life with you! Expect to read about exciting new marine research, what to see beneath the waves, and how to safeguard our Ocean as users of the sea.

Zoe - TikTok Coordinator

Hiya! I’m Zoe, a second year conservation biology student at the University of Exeter! I’ve always loved the ocean and the animals within it, and I love sharing that passion with other people. Education & Community engagement is incredibly important to me, and I love the commitment FMC has to both!
I’m super excited to be creating content & helping to raise awareness for the amazing work FMC does!

Emillie - TikTok Coordinator

Hi everyone! I’m Emillie and I’m joining FMC as one of the new tik tok coordinators. I am currently studying Conservation Biology and Ecology at University and with the opportunity to study down here in Cornwall, my passion for the marine environment and wildlife has only continuously grown! From watching ocean films and documentaries from a young age, to seeing and sharing the importance of community engagement and social media within conservation, I am excited to help share what we get up to along Falmouth shores!

Evie - TikTok Cordinator

"Hi I'm Evie and I'm one of the tiktok coordinators! I am a first year zoology student and I've always had a passion for animals and conservation. I'm so excited to use my experience in social media to help spread awareness about the importance of marine conservation"

Olivia - Blog writer

Hi! I’m Olivia, and I am joining FMC as a community blog writer. I recently completed the first year of my marine biology degree with the University of Exeter. This has given me the opportunity to immerse myself in Cornwall’s fascinating marine environment, from anemones to zooplankton! One of my key interests is accessibility in scientific communication. I believe that community engagement is a cornerstone of conservation, and my goal is to further connect readers to the ocean and the people working to protect it. FMC events such as Seaquest and Pacific Oyster Surveys have been a formative part of my time in Cornwall thus far, and I am so excited to be joining such an incredible team of people!

Sophie - Committee Member

"I’m a marine conservationist and researcher, passionate about the beautiful marine life and habitats we have here in Cornwall. I joined FMC a couple of years ago and have loved getting involved in different community projects including seagrass snorkels and pacific oyster surveys. I have loved the opportunity to connect with our local community, providing space for us to learn from one another and celebrate our local marine life."