Dolphins, Diving in the UK and Living the Marine Biology Life with Emily Cunningham and Daniel Moore (#11)

Holy Bananas have we got an episode for you!

Today’s episode celebrates those who aren’t quite sure what they want to do, and who are willing to jump in and figure it out. AND, I can’t believe it’s taken me ELEVEN episodes to get here, but we’re finally talking about DOLPHINS!

Emily Cunningham and Daniel Moore, both marine biologists from the United Kingdom, have made an incredible career in marine biology by being superbly flexible. This has enabled the couple to travel for extended periods of time to Indonesia, pushed them to be resourceful and start a company, and allowed them to have some absolutely incredible experiences, unavailable to any other profession.

These extra experiences helped this dynamic duo to create the life that they want to live, all the while making positive impacts in the world, and still chasing their marine biology dreams.

In today’s episode you’ll learn:

• Where wild dolphins can live (the answer may surprise you!)
• why not pursuing your PhD can be a good thing
• how you can run your own company and still be a marine biologist

After the episode, I want to hear from you! What insight did you glean from Emily and Daniel’s story? Leave a comment below!

Connect with Emily + Daniel: Emily’s website | Daniel’s website | Instagram | Twitter

Quick Links
Bangor University
Scapa Flow
Black dogfish
Irish Sea bottlenose dolphins
Humpback whales in the UK
Operation Wallacea
Oceanic Soundscapes
Paddleboards
Sea turtle nesting (emily’s instagram photo mentioned on show)
Ascension Island
Green Sea Turtle Nesting
Sex ratios of sea turtles
White Ghost Cat Shark (Apristurus aphyodes)
Flat/Native Oyster

Show Notes
Life changing diving in the UK [2:00]
Daniel has dove around the world, including in the tropics. His favorite place? The UK [6:15]
Emily tells her dad she’s going to be a marine biologist [9:30]
Why both Emily and Daniel opted to obtain graduate degrees [10:45]
How to age deep sea sharks [11:40]
How to catalogue dolphins [15:15]
Identifying individual humpback whales [18:30]
What to do after graduating with a master’s degree [23:00]
The beauty of free time [25:15]
Indonesia! One for marine, the other decidedly not [28:50]
How Daniel’s PhD is funded [34:45]
An important skill to have for a significant portion of conservation and research [36:15]
How to secure large amounts of funding for conservation [37:40]
Being a marine biologist and business owner [41:55]
How to design conservation projects [42:50]
Best part about being a marine biologist [47:30]
The privilege of teaching [50:30]
Important point about a career in marine biology [54:35]
Advice to younger selves – keep on! [56:45]
Magical, mystical Dolphin Soup [59:10]
Hanging out in Green Sea Turtle Bunkers on Ascension Island [1:01:00]
How green sea turtles are like cows [1:05:30]
Why oysters are the superheroes of the sea [1:07:30]
Get outside! You don’t need a degree to help [1:10:30]