Heidi de Maine is a qualified marine biologist with many years’ experience working with animals. She has volunteered at aquariums and at animal facilities such as the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Jersey Zoo) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), and children and education are her focus. Growing up in South Africa gave her an appreciation for wildlife, and living inland gave her the yearning for the sea. Now she lives at the coast and loves sharing her knowledge of the marine environment. This post was originally published on 5 April 2011 on her own blog, Abby the Aquarist, which she runs with illustrator Keli Hazelton.Together, they also write children’s books.
Hi Sea Fans!
It’s a beautiful day and I love what I do, so here is an interview with a professional in my field to tell you more about what goes on in the aquarium world.
Professional: Becs Smith
What is your job?
Assistant curator at Bristol Aquarium (United Kingdom).
What did you study/do to get this kind of work?
BSc Hons Marine Biology at Newcastle University. I did a year-and-a-half internship at Mote Marine Laboratory Florida working in their sea turtle exhibit.
What do you do in a normal day?
The first thing I do is to check the systems and the fish. I make sure that the exhibits are ready for the public. I make a list of jobs for the team to do throughout the day, have a meeting, sort out any problems, place any orders needed, do systems, backwashes, water changes, maintenance on pumps etc (if needed) and update record systems.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve come across/experienced in your job?
Setting up two aquariums from the beginning: the Dubai Mall Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and Bristol Aquarium ... Getting all the livestock in and seeing the end result.
What is a not-so-nice thing about your job?
Losing animals.
What do you love about your job?
Learning about new animals and making a great exhibit. Right now I am spebding time on our coral display, learning their requirements and geting it right.
What would you say/recommend to kids who want to do what you do?
Try and get as much experience as possible. Volunteer at the local aquarium or do an internship. Experience is what people look for: My internship got me my first job!
I hope you found that interesting, it’s amazing how much goes on in an aquarium! Keep an eye out for more interviews, I’ll keep posting them in between the updates and stories. Have a great week, Sea Fans, and for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere: Enjoy the last bit of warmth before winter sets in ... Diving is going to get colder!
Cheers
Abby
More blogs by Heidi
Guest photo essay: Sharks, squid and starfish at Yebo Gogga ... with a few worms on pizza
