Ambassador Samantha Blampied
PhD – Researcher, in affiliation with the University of Plymouth & Blue Marine Foundation
"For my PhD, which is part of BLUE’s wider project both here in Jersey and in the UK, I am studying the ecology and socioeconomics of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around Les Écréhous, Les Minquiers and southeast of Jersey to better understand the role MPAs have to play in conserving marine biodiversity and in creating more sustainable fisheries."
On the water.
"Tope is a species of shark found in our waters. They are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species as they are being unsustainably fished in other parts of the world. They can live up to 55 years so are a very slow growing species and also slow to reproduce meaning they take a long time to recover after being overfished. Sharks are a sign of a healthy ecosystem and hopefully the MPAs are providing a refuge for them."