All about Paul's current role:

I am the team lead for the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) team. We monitor and report on the status of MPAs in Northern Ireland waters, work that involved both and land sea-based surveys. During these surveys, we monitor seal and cetacean numbers, fishing activity and general pressure and threats in the area. I am also involved in a lot of stakeholder groups, gaining insight into public opinion of marine conservation issues. More recently, I have started a multi-year shark tagging programme to address gaps in distribution and habitat use to aid with elasmobranch conservation. I enjoy getting out to sea, as skipper of our survey boat it is great to be out observing our marine wildlife and collecting data to aid with marine conservation, all of which lead to real world changes through policy and legislation.

All about Paul's time at Queen's:

I was heavily involved in extra-curricular activities as an undergraduate, from scuba diving to the marine biology society. Being part of a committee gave me the leadership skills to take forward into a career so this is something I would encourage. I would approach more members of staff with the offer of volunteering on PhD projects to better enhance my skills and get myself known and recognised in that field of study. Queen’s has some great funding opportunities so I would get experience in writing these type of applications because the majority of work in the future will require funding of some capacity, and if you are able to bring in your own funding it will stand you out from the crowd. 

Dr Paul Mayo

Senior Scientific Officer, Marine & fisheries Division, DAERA

BSc Marine Biology, MSc Animal Behaviour & Welfare, PhD Marine Biology