What does the ocean mean to you?

For World Ocean Day on 8 June, we asked some of our current students, researchers and alumni to talk about what the ocean means to them
Large ocean wave crashing
We asked some of our current marine-focused students, researchers and alumni to share their love of the ocean, to talk about why we need to protect and restore our shared ocean and how this relates to their current study or research.

  • ?Liberty Denman

  • ?Lucy Penny

  • ?Lydia Koehler

  • ?Alvania Lawen

  • ?Louise-Océane Delion

  • ?Allicia Fullarton

  • ?Max Kimble

  • ?Maria Michael

 

Liberty Denman

Liberty Denman is a marine scientist and graduate of BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology.
As a certified shark fanatic, science communicator, diver and presenter, Liberty’s passion for science communication is fuelled by a desire to break down complex topics and research that wouldn’t otherwise be seen outside of a scientific journal.
The issues facing our ocean are cross-sector and cross-border and Liberty truly believes that solutions to these must be too.

For fear of sounding cliché, the ocean is everything to me. Not only is it the driver behind everything I do professionally, but it's also where I go for adventure and mental clarity. To me world ocean day is about acknowledging how important the ocean actually is and how it can be used to tackle the very issues it's facing. The ocean's ability to regulate and restore extends beyond the benefits we feel individually to helping tackle wider issues such as climate change, overfishing and habitat degradation. Marine systems are complex but it's key we make information accessible for decision makers and the general public to help guide our lives moving forwards, and today is the perfect day to do that.

Liberty Denman
 

Lucy Penny

Lucy Penny is a nursing undergraduate student with a keen interest in dive medicine and physiology and remote expeditions. 
Lucy is the 2023 European Scholar of the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society and looks forward to her journey of adventure and education and integrating into a community that is dedicated to the ocean and the people that work there. 
“I’m currently in NYC attending World Ocean Week, which is run by The Explorers Club. It has been very inspiring being surrounded by passionate individuals, including Sylvia Earle, that are dedicated to exploring and preserving our oceans. Amidst this excitement, the current smoke haze in NYC from the Canadian wildfires reminds us of the urgent climate crisis we face. 
“As a Child and Adult Nursing student, I have helped care for many teenagers with poor mental and physical health. Through my OWUSS scholarship, I aim to help the younger generation reconnect with the ocean. I hope a positive ocean experience will help motivate and inspire them to be the next ocean custodians. In addition, I aim to improve my diving and medical skills to become a key member of diving expeditions. Lucy Penny, Child and Adult Nursing Student at the University of Plymouth,” said Lucy.
Lucy feels privileged to be awarded this scholarship which allows her to travel across the world to gain invaluable dive experience and working alongside global leaders in various underwater fields. With Lucy’s healthcare background and love for the ocean, Lucy can’t wait to dive into this exciting adventure.

I'm doing dive medicine in remote locations such as Antarctica and looking at ways of educating children and trying to get them connected to nature. I'm currently on placement in a hospice and on the children's wards a massive number of teenage admissions are mental health related, so I am interested in using ocean education to help children feel not only the physical benefits of being in the sea but also the mental benefits, too.

Lucy Penny
Lucy Penny
 

Lydia Koehler

Lydia Koehler is an experienced and passionate marine scientist and ocean advocate, an associate lecturer and PhD candidate at Plymouth.
Working in marine conservation for more than 10 years, Lydia has amassed a collection of varied experience which includes five years in the Mediterranean, as well as time in Egypt, Australia and beyond.
Graduating with a masters in marine biology in 2011, Lydia has grown from role to role and gained not only more experience in the field but also in their education. Lydia is now an expert in marine conservation policies, conservation management, and policy implementation for marine fauna and habitats.
As well as a strong interest in marine policy, Lydia has developed a passion for the application and development of law. A passion she has focused into PhD research on fisheries management and conservation related to sharks.

The oceans are our source of life (food, oxygen, etc.), climate regulator, and living space for thousands of species. Personally, oceans are my focus of work, place of recovery, and biggest concern. To ensure a future, issues that need to be addressed over the next decade are wide-ranging pollution, over-exploitation of resources, including illegal fishing, and building resilience against climate change through strong, large-scale conservation and recovery actions.

Lydia Koehler
A photo of Lydia Koehler sitting on a rock, with the sea behind, by Lloyd Russell.
 

Alvania Lawen

Alvania Lawen is studying BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability at the University of Plymouth.
"The ocean to me is everything. I come from a small island nation so the ocean is the pillar of our economy but also where the majority of our recreation happens. 
The plastic problem definitely needs addressing. Some see it as an over-talked-about problem… as it should! Plastics are creeping into our beaches, food, and blood streams!
Until the problem is solved, we must keep finding alternatives, innovate, and push to drastically limit the production of virgin plastic." 
Alvania Lawen
 

Louise-Océane Delion

Louise-Océane Delion is a graduate of BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology and Community Manager for Women For Sea – a French charity which aims to raise awareness about marine conservation whilst promoting the role of women in this field.
With a range of experience in research, content creation, podcasting and sailing expeditions, Louise brings her passion and knowledge about the underwater world to raise awareness about ocean-related topics to create change at individual and organisational levels.
“The ocean is a place like home. The sight, smell, sound and touch of the ocean are enough to make me feel at peace and relaxed. It is part of my mental equilibrium, allowing me to regenerate myself when I need it.
It is also a beautiful place full of wonders that will never stop to amaze me. I could spend my time watching the waves or dipping my head underwater to see the blue rays or the creatures living there. 
Louise-Océane Delion on a boat
I have learnt to experience the ocean in so many ways, and through studying marine biology, I have also learnt to discover it: its biodiversity, ecosystems, and processes… which has deepened my love for it and reinforced my desire to orientate my life to protect it.
The ocean is facing many anthropogenic threats such as overfishing, climate change, habitat destruction etc. which are all causing the loss of marine biodiversity globally.
However today, a pressing issue that needs to be addressed is the threat caused by deep sea mining. After years of discussion, permits are soon to be delivered to allow companies to exploit the seabed for resources such as iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper...
Today, a global movement has started taking place among the civil society and reaching political rooms, asking for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. An alliance of countries calling for a deep-sea mining moratorium has been created and everyday, new countries are joining it.
I invite everyone to join their voice to stop deep sea mining and protect the biodiversity of the deep ocean.”
 

Allicia Fullarton

Allicia Fullarton is a current student of BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology and a rock pooling enthusiast that loves nothing more than to see the excitement on people's faces while educating them about our local intertidal diversity.
Alongside being a rockpool safari guide and working on the Blue Recovery project for the Rock Pool Project, Allicia also volunteers with the University helping to collect and analyse data for a video series.
For her placement, Allicia has been working with the University’s International Marine Litter Research Unit to continue her work with the Rock Pool Project, as well as going to Madagascar to conduct dive research to see how species diversity has changed and is still changing in the local Marine Protected Area.

The ocean to me is the place of tranquillity, healing and freedom and it's a place that you can go to no matter what is going on in your life and can reconnect you to the world. I think this year we need to focus on plastic pollution, overfishing and unsustainable fishing and look into sustainable tourism solutions.

Allicia Fullarton
 

The ocean means wonder, exploration and a whole world to escape into with a treasure trove of mysteries waiting to be unlocked. This World Ocean Day I would like to draw the attention to the declining global shark population. Sharks have been on this planet for over 400 million years shaping and sculpting our ocean. Yet since 1970, 70 percent of their global populations have declined. So, let's work together to conserve this misunderstood species.

Max Kimble
 

Ocean Day reminds us that the oceans are not just a source of economic opportunity but also a fragile ecosystem that requires our stewardship. As future maritime business professionals, we have a responsibility to balance commercial interests with environmental protection for the sustainable growth of our industry.

Maria Michael
Maria Michael
 

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