Name: Emma Levy
Nickname:
Em
Where are you from / Where do you call home?
I’m from England but it’s been a long time since I’ve lived there! The Philippines is where I call home.
What are you best known for?
I think it’s probably being talkative. I’m a very early-riser and am usually awake before sunrise, so by the time everyone else wakes up I’m ready to get talking (much to the shock of everyone else).
What’s your background?
I originally studied Journalism and then went on to work for a health charity in the UK for a few years. It wasn’t until I left the UK and discovered my love for scuba diving that I decided to change my career to work in the marine conservation sector. I became a divemaster then SCUBA instructor, alongside working for different marine conservation NGOs.
What inspired you to get into marine conservation?
I was fortunate to do my divemaster at a marine conservation NGO, so I was learning about human impacts on the ocean at the same time as I was becoming a dive professional. It was a sudden awakening to discover how human activities, whether directly or indirectly, are affecting coral reefs and that we stand a very real risk of destroying this beautiful ecosystem in our lifetime. I was absolutely inspired to do my best to ensure the survival of the world’s reefs by becoming a marine conservationist.
Getting ready to deliver the frontliner goody-bags around Zamboanguita, Philippines
What are you most proud of in your career?
When the COVID pandemic hit, I was already in the Philippines and saw first hand how the lockdown was affecting small fishing communities. Along with two others, I established a community relief project to provide food and other essentials to frontliners and families in need. We did everything ourselves - from fundraising to driving around a rickety old van that was crammed with rice!
What brought you to Reef-World & why do you care about the work we do?
Since I started diving, I was constantly saddened to see divers - both new and experienced - that were diving irresponsibly. Whether touching the reef, manipulating wildlife for the ‘perfect’ photo or kicking up the ocean floor. So from this, I started using Green Fins (Reef-World’s initiative with UNEP) as a tool to find out the best environmentally friendly dive operators in the area I was visiting. It felt like Reef-World was leading the way to create a global dive community who put the ocean first. The more I became fascinated with diving, the more I wanted to be part of the Reef-World team.
Remember to exhale through your nose! Teaching some dive skills to DSD students
What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to get into the marine conservation sector?
Marine conservation is very competitive so be resilient, but also be patient. I was very nervous when I first entered the field that I did not have a marine biology background, however there are other ways to get into the industry - such as volunteering, internships and networking.
Outside work, what are your hobbies/favourite pastimes?
I love to be busy and active outside of work, so you’ll usually find me doing yoga, hiking and, of course, diving! I also have three dogs (so far!) so we often go out for adventures to find the hidden gems of the Philippines.
What’s your favourite marine animal and why?
It has to be corals! I’m absolutely fascinated by all the different coral species that can be found on a dive and looking at beautiful landscapes of coral colonies. Night dives are my absolute favourite because all the coral tentacles come out and it looks like another world.
What marine animal are you most like and why?
I asked my friends for help with this question and they said a seal - charming! But I guess I am very playful, friendly and love the odd nap on the beach!
Using some very fun equipment called a DO-SVS to monitor and measure fish populations
When and where did you qualify as a diver? What made you want to try scuba?
I did my open water course on holiday in Thailand and then returned to city life where I didn’t have the opportunity to dive again for years. I then rediscovered my love for diving whilst working in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. I couldn’t believe what I had been missing for all of those years! I knew that this time it wasn’t just a one-time activity, but would be central to my life.
Tell us about your most memorable dive…
There’s too many to choose from! But one of my favourites has to be the first time I saw a shark on a dive in Rarotonga. Before then, I was terrified of sharks. Not in a small way either, but swim-extra-fast-in-a-swimming-pool kind of terrified. When I saw that beautiful white-tip reef shark glide by me, I was so overwhelmed by how graceful it was and my fear vanished then and there.
& one diving destination still on your bucket list?
I would love to visit Mexico and dive there. It’s a dream to dive in cenotes, as well as see all the big fauna - especially hammerhead sharks.
Tell us something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I’m quite uncomfortable about teeth! I don’t like watching anyone else brush their teeth and if someone starts talking about their teeth I make a swift exit from the conversation. As you can imagine, going to the dentist is a nightmare!
If you could have one superpower, what would you choose and why?
I would love to be able to fly - mostly for the feeling of soaring through the air but it would also be a handy way to travel too!