Marine biologist Kat Mason may have only been in Australia a matter of months, but her connection to the ocean runs deep. Raised in Bournemouth, a coastal town in the south of England, Kat’s early years were filled with an appreciation of the ocean but it was a childhood stint in Florida that truly sparked her curiosity about marine life.

“You could go paddleboarding and a pod of dolphins might swim past or you’d see eagle rays leaping from the water. That blew my mind and even more so when I started to consider that this could be part of my life, maybe even my job.”

With a degree in environmental science from the UK’s Plymouth University and a Masters in marine biology completed in Portugal, Kat’s path has always been driven by a deep respect for the ocean, its creatures and in particular for sharks. And, her passion for sharks stems from a sense of urgency. 

“Sharks have survived for hundreds of millions of years, but today we’re seeing them in massive decline due to human activity such as overfishing, habitat loss and the shark fin trade. They need people in their corner and we need to shift the narrative from fear to respect. When people respect sharks, they’re far more likely to want to protect them.”

Now, after a decade of marine study and conservation work around the globe – including Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe – Kat finds herself working off the coast of Broome as a marine biologist with Absolute Ocean Charters. Since moving to Broome earlier this year, Kat has been facilitating marine wildlife cruises, interpreting ocean encounters for guests and bringing science to life.

“One of the best parts of this job is helping people understand what they’re seeing and the role each species plays in the ecosystem. It’s incredible to watch guests in awe of a breaching whale or a gliding manta ray and then to see their appreciation deepen as they learn more.”

Kat adds that there have been countless highlights in recent months including seeing a humpback whale breach 50 times around the boat. 

“You just stand there in awe, wondering what’s going through its mind. It’s extraordinary.” 

Spinner sharks leaping and twirling from the water, sea turtles surfacing beside the boat, and the flash of eagle rays have also made lasting impressions. Manta rays too hold a special place in Kat’s heart. 

“They’re incredibly intelligent. They make eye contact with you and you can see they’re figuring you out,” she says. 

Kat has studied and dived with manta rays in the Maldives and Indonesia, and describes the experience as “one of the highlights” of her career. 

“They actually have the largest brain-to-body mass ratio of any fish. They recognise individuals – both people and other manta rays.”

Kat’s marine message 

With the warmer months now upon us and more people heading to beaches and boats, Kat is eager to pass on simple, practical ways everyone can help protect marine life.

• “Take only photographs, leave only footprints,” she says. That means picking up rubbish even if it’s not yours and being mindful of your impact on the beach and in the water. 
• Reef-safe sunscreen is another must. “Many sunscreens contain chemicals that are toxic to marine life. Look for natural ingredients and ‘reef-safe’ labels.”
• Boaters and fishers also have a responsibility. “Always be aware of the wildlife around you. Keep a respectful distance and never interfere with natural behaviours. And if you cut a fishing line, never leave it in the water.”

Kat’s hope is that more people begin to see the ocean as not just a place to visit, but a living system that needs protecting. 

“Everything in the ocean is connected… and it’s connected to us. If we want healthy oceans for the future, we need to care for them now.”

As for what’s next for Kat, she says she’s happy to stay flexible. 

“I think one of the best things about being in Australia is that there’s so much to explore and so many opportunities. I definitely hope to make it to Ningaloo Reef as that’s been a dream of mine for many years.”

https://www.ocean-kat.com/about