Meet Mireille Consalvey

Meet Mireille Consalvey

What is your job title?

Seamount scientist and Co-ordinator of the CenSeam (global census of marine life on seamounts) programme. CenSeam is a global programme that aims to coordinate the seamount community to try and develop a global research approach to maximise skills/knowledge/funding, as well standardise how we work. If we are to truly understand the oceans its essential to take this worldwide approach.

What do you study and why is it important?

I used to study (and sometimes still do dabble) the microscopic algae that live on mudflats and salt marshes. These are important because they produce oxygen (and therefore have been compared to forests in terms of their importance) as well as binding the sediments together to stop them being washed away, and also providing food for the many other critters that call the mud home. I was particularly interested in the often complex behaviours of these small organisms.

That was in Scotland – in moving to New Zealand my work took a HUGE change in direction. Now I work as a project coordinator – keeping the CenSeam programme moving.

What will you be doing on the voyage?

As well as being the main “Education and Outreach” person (which will involve recording life on the ship and sending reports back to land) I will be assisting in the biological collection and sorting of samples collected from seamounts on and around the ridge. I will also pitch in and help with the physics and geology when I can – and always enjoy learning new things.

Where were you educated?

After starting out being schooled between the north of England and Africa I ultimaltly grew up in Scotland and stayed there for university, completing both my Bachelors and PhD at St Andrews University.

That said - its an ongoing process and I continue to learn professionally and personally each day.

How did you become interested in the ocean?

As an 8 year old I told my mum that I wanted a job in the sea – she suggested marine biology and I was sold.

Do you get seasick? And if so, any tips on how not to?

So far – and touching a large piece of wood – I have not suffered too badly. I sometimes feel abit of a wobble and generally find that some fresh air and salty crackers see me right. The Southern Ocean will be a test.

What do you enjoy about your work?

I enjoy the people and the new experiences; so far I have travelled to 3 continents to work in a variety of different environments from snorkelling with stromatolites in the Bahamas to being waist deep in mud in Venice to sampling under moonlight in Scotland and now getting the chance to see areas of the seafloor never before seen with human eyes is pretty awe inspiring.

What are some of the challenges you face?

The single biggest challenge is that there are never enough hours in the day – because I work as a coordinator the sheer volume of emails can be daunting and sometimes I feel like I am cyber-buried.

What have you learned/discovered? What do you hope to learn?

There are more than 100 000 seamounts in the oceans and we often talk about them being “hotspots” of biodiversity – yet to date less than 300 have really been looked at in any detail. I am one of the many scientists trying to make a small contribution to a very large picture.

How do you spend your spare time?

I really enjoy mountain biking – and living in Wellington means some of the best biking in the world is right on my doorstep. I also enjoy going to the cinema, general mooching and travelling. My next holiday is South Africa and I can’t wait.

At sea I often think I should be at the gym (in practice rarely am) and instead enjoy spending time with (and getting to know) everyone, catching up on films, eating, and sleeping.

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