Hi! I’m Simon.

I work as the Executive Director of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, which I co-founded with Dr Andrea Marshall. As a scientist, I’m primarily known for conservation-oriented research on whale sharks around the world – much of which we’ve summarised in a textbook on the species, ‘Whale Sharks: Biology, Ecology, & Conservation’ – and helping to popularise photo-identification studies on sharks and rays. My MMF bio is here, and you can see my scientific publications on Google Scholar.

I’m a member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group, Science Advisor to Sharkbook.ai, the global photo-identification library for sharks, and a Director of the Sawfish Conservation Society. I’m an Adjunct Fellow with the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia, where I’m working with critically endangered grey nurse sharks, and Research Manager for the Spot A Shark citizen science initiative focusing on that species.

I completed a BSc in Ecology at Victoria University of Wellington, then moved to Brisbane for a BSc (Hons, 1st Class) and PhD from The University of Queensland in Australia.

I’m an enthusiastic diver, wildlife-watcher, and photographer, specialising in endangered ocean wildlife. I use my photos and videos to support conservation initiatives and scientific expeditions. I work with Sony NZ as a Digital Imaging Advocate, leading photo walks and workshops in NZ, Australia, and online. My Sony bio is here, and upcoming events are listed here. I write about wildlife travel and photography on our website, Nature Tripper.

My work (science and / or photography) has been featured by a range of media outlets, including National Geographic, BBC, New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Nature, Science, New Scientist, and BBC Wildlife.

I host public research, diving, snorkelling, general wildlife-watching, and photography trips around the world, mostly for MMF, Aqua-Firma, and Galapagos Shark Diving. I’m sporadically active on the socials, generally Facebook & Instagram, though my favourite ‘social media’ by far is iNaturalist.

My wife Madeleine and I live in the marine wildlife wonderland of Kaikoura, on the northeast South Island of New Zealand. When I’m at home, I work with South Pacific Helicopters as a marine biology guide and photographer (as a fundraiser for Moana Mark's marine conservation and research projects in NZ). I often post local wildlife updates on our ‘Wild Kaikoura’ Facebook group, and organise photo meet-ups for wildlife geeks in the area.

If you’d like to stay updated on what I’m up to, you can join my newsletter list (see the bottom of the page.)

Thanks for stopping by!