This is the fourth in an exciting new series of monthly Stormline feature profiles. A new face of Stormline, every month. If you want to share your passion for the sea check out the details at the bottom of this article to get involved.
Name: Elliot Badrick
Age: 22
Profession/Occupation: Marine Biologist
Hometown: Falmouth, UK
Main Activity: Marine mammal rehabilitation
Best Catch: Rescued a 252KG male California sea lion Zalophus californianus in Alameda, California
Why I love what I do: The oceans are not such a healthy place at the moment and we need to do everything we can to help protect the environment and as many species as possible. I am very lucky to be in a situation where I am able to contribute in some way to the conservation of the marine environment. Being able to work with marine mammals is a huge privilege and pretty damn exciting.
Favourite marine memory: Being part of the team at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary rehabilitating grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) gave me three years’ experience which allowed me the opportunity to go to The Marine Mammal Center, San Francisco. My best memory of California was being part of a special rescue operation down in Monterey Bay where we rescued two California sea lions which had been entangled in monofilament fishing line.
Tips for beginners: I’m still at the beginning of my career but I would just say to anyone who wants to work in the rehabilitation field or with marine mammals that you will get used to nearly being eaten by animals you are trying to help which is pretty exciting. Be prepared to get messy, it’s awesome fun and totally worth it.
Hero: Paul Nicklen is an amazing wildlife photographer and he got to swim with leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) which I am super jealous of.
If I could change one thing about the world of fishing:
Reduce net size and line length to minimise bycatch and entanglements of marine mammals, sharks and turtles. Cutting down net size would also decrease the amount of fishing gear being lost hereby reducing the impact of ghost fishing.
Want to be the Face of Stormline? Just drop us an email with some pictures of you in your Stormline Gear with answers to the questions above and we’ll make it happen.