Jo on her first day at the office
I may have only been in the Seychelles and part of the WiseOceans team for a week but I doubt the landscape, marine life and job will ever cease to amaze me!
The first few days have been a whirlwind of introductions and briefings and of course ‘in water’ practice. I have shadowed both Lindsay and Charlotte to help settle into the role. Our office is a beach shack and our desk is a picnic table covered in cool books full of brightly coloured photos, fun facts and marine related games. Both of which are conveniently located just footsteps from the water. Between chatting to interested guests around the marine ecology picnic table about life underwater, helping them identify any ‘mystery species’ and guiding them across the best of reef in Petite Anse Bay, I have also had time to enjoy our games with the younger ones and familiarise myself with our variety of talks.
Jo entertaining the younger guests!
The diversity in marine life here is incredible and every dip in the water has presented itself with something different. Beginners luck has worked its magic and I have seen lots of the megafauna found in the area. Lindsay accompanied me on my first snorkel in Petite Anse bay, during which a white tip shark, two lion fish and shoals upon shoals of fish came to welcome me to the Seychelles – definitely one of my highlights! Two days in and squid were in high abundance, following each other through the water column, and this little hawksbill turtle has been chilling out in the bay too.
Hawksbill turtle in Petite Anse
Some mornings the water is so clear I can spot eagle rays whilst conducting a beach walk. Not all snorkels contain the larger creatures, but we are full of fun facts to keep the guests entertained and pleasantly surprised! The research element of the position is still to come and I am excited to be contributing towards coral, fish and invertebrate surveys.
Engaging with new guests, whilst building a rapport with familiar faces, and discovering new life out on the reef, makes every day different. With my second week beginning I am thrilled to be a part of the team here, sharing my experiences with the guests and friends of WiseOceans.
Jo Eames, Junior Marine Educator based at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
