Our Biologists
At Dive Jervis Bay we are lucky enough to have four in-house marine biologists. All are equally passionate about the world under the waves, each with their own specialties and interests. If you have a question, an idea, or even want us to identify an unusual species you've spotted - please contact us at science@divejervisbay.com
SABRINA
Education: Bachelor of Conservation Biology (Dean’s Scholar) (Honours) at the University of Wollongong
Role: Marine Biologist, Dive Master and Head of Marine Research
About: I’ve always been crazy about all thing’s wildlife. Above the water I work as a field ecologist, working on a wide variety of projects, including microbats and koalas. However, I cannot deny that I have a huge soft spot for everything marine. From scrubbing the tanks in research aquarium’s to being an observer on marine helicopter surveys, being a marine biologist is really one of the best jobs around. The feeling when a curious gloomy octopus reaches out its tentacle, a huge smooth ray glides straight over you, or even a sneaky blue groper hovering over your shoulder, nothing beats being a part of the underwater world.
NAOMI
Education: Bachelor of Science, Advanced (Biological Science) (Honours) at the University of Wollongong
Role: Marine Biologist, Dive Master, Skipper and Management
About: Having completed my honours on the distribution of marine litter on South Coast beaches and intertidal zones, I have tried to be as involved in marine research as possible. One of the best experiences has been assisting in the data collection of Port Jackson sharks, which recorded everything from size and sex to whether they were right or left-handed. Although, I believe the best parts about the marine environment have always been the tiny critters. I am a huge fan of nudibranchs and other tiny invertebrates. It’s hard to choose a favourite, but its always the newest and rarest nudibranch I've seen! Which right now, is probably a species in the genus Tenellia, which glows under UV light!
REILLY
Education: Bachelor of Marine Science at the University of Wollongong
Role: Marine Biologist, Dive Master and Servicing Technician
About: I’m always happy when I’m on the water, and even happier when I’m under the water. I started diving in 2017, and have never been more relaxed than when I’m diving. It would surprise you, but the best stuff to see is the stuff that people always look over. Have you heard of a hit and run blenny? Look it up! And nothing goes past a school of mado's and yellow-tail scads. Although, the best exception to that are humpback whales,
nothing gets past the song of a whale.
BRUCE
Education: Bachelor of Marine Biology at Southern Cross University
Role: Marine Biologist, Dive Master, Skipper, and Instructor
About: I’ve been lucky enough to experience marine research on the beautiful and very tropical Heron Island in the Great Barrier Reef. When I'm busy being an instructor, I cannot resist sharing my knowledge of the ocean environment, and have been known to feed my students seaweed. In terms of favourite critters, some would disagree with me and say they're overrated, but there is nothing quite like the big stuff. Humpback whales, fur-seals, dugongs, manta rays –seeing them underwater and experiencing their intelligence and curiosity is nothing short of amazing.
Al
Education: BSc. Marine Biology and Ecology (Hons) from St. Andrews (Scotland)
Role: Marine Biologist, Technical Instructor
About: I studied Marine Biology in the cold waters of Northern Scotland and while I saw a lot of seals and interesting critters I used to daydream of diving with colourful fish in warm water. After emigrating to Australia my wife and I spent 2 years managing One Tree Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef - truly a dream come true! I've dived all over the Pacific as well as cave diving under the Nullabor (SA), Mount Gambier (SA), the Yucatan (Mexico) and Florida (USA) and I coordinate the Dive Jervis Bay Technical Diving program. So if you've always wondered about sidemount - come and have a chat.
One of the great things about understanding more about our marine environment is that you never have a boring dive - there is always something to see. When the "large stuff" is having a day off take a look at the bryozoan colonies on the kelp blades!