Matt Slater Email and Phone Number

My role at Cornwall Wildlife Trust is a varied one and I lead three projects all with the aim of engaging with the public and inspiring them to value and protect Cornwall's amazing marine life. I am the Cornwall coordinator for Seasearch - leading a program of citizen science dive surveys. I run training for experienced divers and mentor them so that they help us by documenting the marine life they encounter. Seasearch is the leading marine citizen science project that is run by the… Show more My role at Cornwall Wildlife Trust is a varied one and I lead three projects all with the aim of engaging with the public and inspiring them to value and protect Cornwall's amazing marine life. I am the Cornwall coordinator for Seasearch - leading a program of citizen science dive surveys. I run training for experienced divers and mentor them so that they help us by documenting the marine life they encounter. Seasearch is the leading marine citizen science project that is run by the Marine Conservation Society and delivered in Cornwall by Cornwall Wildlife Trust. I also lead Shoresearch Cornwall, another citizen science project that trains members of the public to record marine wildlife on the shore. I organise an annual program of training and surveys and additionally run a specialized monitoring program studying and controlling the spread of non native Pacific oysters on Cornish shores - a big problem. Finally I also run Cornwall Good Seafood Guide, a website and seafood sustainability rating project that provides detailed information on all of Cornwall's seafood, helping consumers and businesses make good seafood choices. I have a huge respect for fishers and am encouraged at how positive and well informed the majority of fishermen are these days. By highlighting sustainable seafood we hope to encourage further improvement within the industry for the long term benefit of fishermen and the wider marine environment. Cornwall Good Seafood guide works in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society's good fish guide and our ratings are shared on their website so that Cornwall's seafood can be compared with seafood from all around the world. I believe that it is only by working with people that we can make a difference. I love spending time in on and under the water and I am a passionate and enthusiastic underwater photographer, diver and surfer. Show less

• Applying creative flair and a passion for naturalistic but engaging aquarium exhibit design. Resulting in the constant redesign and re invention of the aquariums exhibits and constant improvements each year for a sustained 10 year stretch.• Chairman of the BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums), Cephalopod focus group, for 6 years and have produced two detailed and peer reviewed husbandry manuals.• Managing and inspiring a team of aquarists and volunteers.… Show more • Applying creative flair and a passion for naturalistic but engaging aquarium exhibit design. Resulting in the constant redesign and re invention of the aquariums exhibits and constant improvements each year for a sustained 10 year stretch.• Chairman of the BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums), Cephalopod focus group, for 6 years and have produced two detailed and peer reviewed husbandry manuals.• Managing and inspiring a team of aquarists and volunteers. Managing tight budgets and deadlines. Multitasking a management and hands on working role. • Delivering a high quality visitor experience including beautifully presented public displays and high quality interpretative materials.• Developing a specialism in coral culture. Resulting in creation of a coral culture system and a high energy sps Coral reef exhibit that although not the largest rivalled any in the country for quality and aesthetic. • Delivered a 13 lecture module at Foundation Degree level on Coral and Algae biology and culture, for Marine Conservation students at Cornwall College Newquay for 6 years. • Developed my skills in plankton culture and set up a hatchery that to date has successfully raised, seahorses, clownfish, cuttlefish and bass.• I have managed the rehabilitation of 9 stranded loggerhead turtles and their subsequent release.• Designing and construction within budget of many new exhibits including 3 dedicated coral reef exhibits, a breeding area, a jelly fish exhibit a 50,000l tropical coral reef exhibit and an Amazonian exhibit housing Cuvier’s dwarf caiman and Amazonian fish and turtles. • I have given 4 talks at the National Aquarium Workshop a major National conference. • During my time at the aquarium I have given hundreds of radio and TV interviews. I have appeared on National programmes such as the One Show on many occasions and appeared in a documentary, Weird case files for National Geographic channel. Show less