I have worked in marine management for over 20 years. I have held numerous senior posts in the marine management sector and I am currently the Projects Director for the Blue Marine Foundation, leading a global suite of ocean conservation projects.

As part of my Fellowship, I travelled to the south Pacific to visit numerous countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga, to explore strategies to prevent plastic pollution entering the oceans. Whilst the public and media attention on plastic pollution is relatively recent, it's an issue I have been involved with for over 25 years. Back in 1994, there was almost no recognition that the amount of plastic in marine waters was impacting on every part of the ocean ecosystem.

I have written an academic paper and presented my findings to numerous organisations and groups, and shared innovative ways of improving ocean health. I have also gained new impetus to try to tackle a problem which has been around for decades and play my part in helping to protect the ocean. My ambition is to see our degraded coastal and marine environment return to its former flourishing state for the benefit of people and nature.