Ellycia Harrould-Kolieb

Growing up by the ocean, in Melbourne, Australia, the water was always an important part of my life. As I got older and started to understand the problems that were facing the oceans it only seemed natural that I would work to protect them, and I've spent the last 10 years doing just that. I couldn't think of a better job than working as a science fellow for Oceana to save something I love - well, of course if the problems didn't exist in the first place, that would be better.

I love feeling like I'm part of the ocean when I'm scuba diving. Just floating with the current watching the underwater world go about its business is an amazing experience, something that dazzles me every time I'm diving. I love being able to explore new places, places that would normally be inaccessible. Most recently whilst in Puerto Rico, I was lucky enough to do a night kayak and swim in the bioluminescent bay on the Island of Vieques. It was amazing, with every disturbance of the water, the tiny dinoflagellates would light up creating the feeling that the water itself was glowing - a truly bizarre and wondrous experience!