Staff Profiles

My name is Daniel and I have been apart of the Reef HQ team for 18 months. I work as an Aquarist, which means looking after a number of animals including sea snakes, stonefish, lionfish, corals, sharks and variety of other sea creatures. I have a strong passion for the ocean and enjoy the opportunity I have through Reef HQ to spread the word about conserving our marine resources.

I also perform the duties of the Reef HQ Diving & Boating Officer. This position involves making sure that all of our diving and boating operations are conducted safely and comply with relevant laws and regulations.

We have divers in the Aquarium everyday performing a variety of tasks such as cleaning tanks, vacuuming up detritus, changing exhibits and performing repairs or modifications to tanks and equipments. Outside of Reef HQ we send our divers out on the Reef for a variety of reasons such as research, surveys and specimen collection.

I completed a degree in Applied Science in Aquaculture at the University of Tasmania and since graduating have worked in a variety of fields include marine mussel farming in Victoria, clam farming in the USA, commercial fishing in the NOrthern Territory and teaching aquatic science and biology in Victoria. Most recently I have been involved in water quality monitoring and analysis with the Environment Protection Authority, Victoria.

My favorite part of my job is going out on the Reef and getting to work with the natural environment. The position is challenging and requires diligence and professionalism as we operate in potenially hazardous conditions with marine creatures.