We are excited to introduce Joe, our new Project Assistant at Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum. Joe brings a strong background in marine biology and outdoor adventure guiding, combined with a passion for marine conservation. He will be supporting the Responsible Recreation team, working on projects like the Pembrokeshire Marine Code, the Outdoor Charter Group, and Wild Seas Wales.
Here, Joe shares his journey from exploring rockpools to guiding coastal adventures, and how he’s eager to help protect our coastal environments…
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Hi, I’m Joe, and I’ve just joined Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum as a Project Assistant, working alongside the Responsible Recreation team. This will involve assisting with the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter Group, the Coasteering Concordat, the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Health Project as well as the Pembrokeshire Marine Code and the wider work of Wild Seas Wales.
I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Pembrokeshire at an early age, making the pilgrimage down from Lancashire almost yearly, to spend time with friends and family amidst the beauty of the National Park. It was here where I discovered my love for the sea with my head in a rockpool, developing a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the marine and associated environments.
It was this passion that led me to pursue a BSc in Marine Biology at Swansea University, followed by a Masters of Research, focusing on green turtle movements and conservation. These experiences cemented my desire to educate and inform others about the fragile nature of our coastal environments and to impart the desire to respect and protect what we are so fortunate to have on our doorstep.
Shortly after finishing my MRes, an opportunity to live and work in Pembrokeshire was presented to me and I leapt at it. I spent three years working as an outdoor adventure guide, leading groups around the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast and imparting my knowledge and love for the area. This work allowed me to engage with people from all over the world, to highlight the need for a strong connection to nature and a thriving coastal environment.
It was here I was first introduced to the work of Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum through the Pembrokeshire Marine Code and the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter Group. Understanding that there was a body that represented the needs of nature in the outdoor industry and further, that worked to protect an area I and many others hold dear was eye opening.
Having spent multiple years working within the outdoor adventure sector, and witnessing the work of PCF first hand, I knew I wanted to work alongside those that seek to protect the wonderful marine environments both here in Pembrokeshire and on a national level.
I will mainly be supporting the work of the Responsible Recreation team, wherein I’ll be working to facilitate the ongoing collaboration between PCF and members of the Outdoor Charter Group, to ensure continued sustainable usage of the Pembrokeshire coast. I will also be assisting in the ongoing drive to increase awareness of the Pembrokeshire Marine Code and the work of Wild Seas Wales, to create a healthy and mutually beneficial environment for people and wildlife alike.
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