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The end of the Summer see’s Joel finish his 40 week placement here at the hatchery. Completing his year in industry as part of his degree at Swansea University, he sums up his time with the NLH team as an “Absolutely generational experience“. Read on to hear more about what he has learnt over his time with us…
Getting to know you
What am I studying and where?
Marine Biology at Swansea
What sparked my interest in marine science?
Completing my Open Water Diver qualification and experiencing the range of life under our waters.
How did I discover the placement?
The university advertised the placement through emails. I was looking for a placement close to home in Cornwall, so when the email landed in my inbox I was straight on it.
Life at the hatchery
What does a typical day on placement look like, and what have I been involved in?
Honestly, there’s no such thing as a typical day, as I’m doing something different every day. This can range from something as mundane as cleaning filter socks, to heading out to collect brood or release stage 4’s.
During my time here, I’ve been involved in many aspects of running the hatchery, from the systems maintenance over the winter closure to the production of tens of thousands of baby lobsters.
What surprised me most about working at the hatchery?
Probably how laid back nearly everything is, or the fact that half the hatchery is held together with zip ties, tape, thoughts and prayers! In all seriousness though, it’d have to be how varied the work is, as you’re never doing the same job every day.
Is there a particular moment or experience that stayed with me?
No particular experience stands out, as everything has been amazing during my time here. However, playing a metal gig in the visitor centre has to be unique one for sure. It’s not every day you get to rip through some Motionless in White before work.
Conservation in action
What have you learned about lobsters that you didn’t know before?
To name a single thing that id learnt about lobsters would certainly be challenging. some of the more interesting things that I learnt were the ability for lobsters to regrow limbs, and their ability to taste through their front two pairs of pereopods (legs). Or the positively phototactic (light seeking) response of stage one larvae as soon as they hatch.
How has your placement changed your understanding of marine conservation, and what have you learnt about the different roles involved in conservation work.
My placement here has shown me that marine conservation can work closely with fishermen, instead of fighting against them, and that a lot of fishermen are very up for change. Additionally, its shown me that conservation doesn’t just have to be a desk based job, drawing lines on maps to tell people where they can or can’t go.
Skills and career development
What advice would you give to another student hoping to gain experience in marine conservation?
A year in industry is a great way to get a lot of experience in a field that should hopefully interest you. If not, volunteering during your degree, and after your degree whilst looking for a job is another great way of adding lines to the CV.
Looking back
If you could go back to your first day at the NLH, what would you tell yourself?
Be prepared to drink a lot of tea and coffee, and get rather damp (and cold in the winter).
What is one thing you think every visitor should know about lobsters?
Lobsters are actually incredibly smart, and they can feel an incredible amount of pain, so maybe think twice next time you cook a lobster, because that animal is a true evolutionary masterpiece.
If you could describe your placement at the NLH in 3 words, what would they be?
Absolutely generational experience.
