Our team

Originally from Scotland, Clova has been in love with the ocean since she was a toddler and has fond memories of windswept beaches and frigid water! A conservation expedition to the warmer waters of Madagascar and subsequently working as a diving aquarist in a Scottish aquarium cemented her passion for all things marine.

She came to South Africa in 2005 to work as a dive master with tiger sharks and joined the White Shark Trust as a research assistant. During this time, she became involved in the wildlife film industry, developing her science communication and project management skills. Keen to further her education, Clova completed an MSc in conservation biology and a PhD focusing on the status and management options for marine species that have invaded South African shores. This applied research made her realise how remote most science is from the general public and how such inaccessibility contributes to the many conservation issues we face today.

Clova loves to travel, but when in South Africa, she spends her free time outdoors, either underwater or in the mountains. She is a certified PADI dive master and scientific commercial diver. As a mother and a volunteer for several organisations that focus on environmental education, she enjoys teaching children about ecology and sustainable lifestyle choices. She is passionate about sharing her love and knowledge of the marine environment; she believes this is the best way to shape our future.