 MEMBER OF THE MONTH – May 2007
Kirstin Dobbs
Country:Australia
Occupation: Manager, Species Conservation, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Specialty: Hawksbill turtles, multiple-use marine protected area management
Best part about my job: I get to make a difference ‘on the ground’
Biggest challenges I
face: Getting recognition of the importance to manage activities from a cumulative impact perspective rather than on a case-by-case basis.
The most unusual or
exciting thing that's happened to me while working in the field: Having a ‘lost’ trawler net wash ashore at the same time a Greenpeace-funded survey trip was arriving to monitor nesting turtles.
Why I like being a member
of the MTSG: To have an ability to learn from others around the world
Turtle researcher /
conservationist I most admire:
Col Limpus & Jeff Miller. Both have been instrumental in mentoring me from being a ‘wide-eyed’ university student to my current job today.
When I'm not working on
turtles I like to: Spend time with my husband and dog.
Ten years from now, I
hope I will be doing: Ensuring that activities that may impact protected marine species, like turtles, are managed effectively to minimise impacts and promote recovery of depleted populations.
Relevant links to find out more about me and my work: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au
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