Quite a world away from a coral reef… but home nonetheless!
Name: Priya Chotai
Nickname:
Pri, Pri-pri, Pringle, Chots
Where are you from / Where do you call home?
London, England
What are you best known for? If we asked your friends about you, what would they say?
I tell hilarious stories with such a long explanation that they are no longer funny. My friends and family would probably describe me as fearless, awkward, calm, and shy at first but deep-down crazy.
What’s your background?
I qualified as a Nutritionist from King’s College London in 2017 and then spent some time teaching in sunny southern Japan before joining Reef-World in October 2019!
My bedroom view from the town with the longest name in the whole of Japan: Ichikikushikino-shi!
What inspired you to get into marine conservation?
I’ve been interested in marine conservation through my wonderful parents who were generous enough to take me on a number of beach holidays growing up. Together, we had many amazing wildlife encounters above and below the water. I very nearly started a degree in Marine Biology at Liverpool University but then switched course because I was unsure about going into research afterwards. More recently, with ocean protection becoming a growing topic in the media, I got back in touch with this passion I’ve had for so long. Furthermore, having the East China Sea on my doorstep over the last year made me strongly consider going into marine conservation.
What brought you to Reef-World & why do you care about the work we do?
I was reading about Reef-World’s conservation efforts on its website, happened to stumble upon the opportunities section and took a shot at applying for this role which happened to work out! I think for such a small NGO, the work we do is fundamental for the diving industry and reef protection on a global scale, so it feels like individually and together we have big roles to play.
I recently tried out free diving for the first time here in the Philippines!
What’s your role at Reef-World and what does that look like?
I’m doing an internship in design and communications. My main roles are to look after the online engagement for Reef-World and Green Fins with our Comms Manager, Mel, through social media and also by creating web, video and blog content. I’ll also be designing and updating marketing materials needed for Green Fins members to help them in spreading further awareness of sustainable diving practices.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
I absolutely love being able to combine my creative interests with my ethical values, so this role feels perfect. I just got here and I’m very much still learning the ropes but this internship is already getting me out of my comfort zone – I’m trying new things each day, so I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes me over the next few months and beyond!
What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to get into the marine conservation sector?
Be yourself, stay passionate and go for it! There are things you can do every day to help marine conservation, whether that’s a few hours volunteering, campaigning, or self-learning through reading or a podcast - you don’t have to be living on the coast to make a positive impact. All of those things will add to your experience and knowledge in the area and I think having that motivation will always be a big help in your applications. Be prepared to take on some unpaid/voluntary work!
Attempting the crow pose!
Outside work, what are your hobbies/favourite pastimes?
I love diving (obviously), photography, music, yoga, skiing, reading, drawing, and dancing although I’m not very good at most of them! I want to learn parkour.
What’s your favourite marine animal and why?
This is such a difficult question because I love all of them! Macro life absolutely fascinates me, but I also want to mention humpback whales because they just seem so majestic and humble - like an old friendly grandpa looking out for you.
My first sighting of a rust-spotted guard crab - not only are they adorable, but they help to protect the reef from the coral-eating crown-of-thorns!
What marine animal are you most like and why?
Probably a dolphin – energetic, curious and, most importantly, smooth! ;)
When and where did you qualify as a diver? What made you want to try scuba?
I first dove at age 9 in the Maldives, but was too young to become a certified Open Water Diver. In 2015 I finally completed the course in St. Lucia, and this year finished my Rescue Diver qualification in Borneo. I am obsessed with the underwater world and could look at it all day, so naturally scuba diving was always going to be big a part of my life!
Tell us about your most memorable dive...
Honestly, all of them! I did a fluoro night dive in Australia this August, which was especially amazing as we used UV torches and yellow filters over our masks to see the bioluminescence of the corals at night. Also I love the Galápagos, because you can be in the water with penguins, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, seals, mantas and sharks all at once!
& one diving destination still on your bucket list?
Palau and Raja Ampat – don’t make me choose again!
Star sign and how you express it:
Virgo – with most things I can be quite a perfectionist!
If you could have one superpower, what would you choose and why?
Telepathy - so I could control people’s minds and make them live more sustainably.
I had another go earlier in 2019 and successfully did not get injured! #winning
What’s the strangest injury you’ve ever had?
In 2015, my skydiving instructor fell on my ankle and sprained it, but the worst part was having to lie to my mum for weeks pretending that I fell down an escalator (to this day, she still doesn’t know about the skydive).
Tell us something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I don’t like watching TV shows and can’t commit to ever finishing one because I’m too restless.
Anything else you’d like to share?
You should be diving, yeahhhhh! ♪