Welcome to my series of interviews with some wonderful people who work within the natural world, from zoo keepers, to museum curators and everything in between and those that are on the path to working in these positions too. Be inspired for a future where you can combine your love of nature with your day job. I hope you enjoy these interviews, that you can learn something from them and they can inspire you.

Now let me introduce you to Sue.....

 

Name

Sue Sayer MBE

Age

62

Location

Hayle Cornwall

What do you do?

I am the Founder and Director of the Seal Research Trust. In 2000 I began identifying wild grey seals from their fur patterns. Some of the seals I met in 2000 are still alive in 2025. I have encouraged a whole network of volunteers to do the same around the SW photo ID’ing and sharing seal sightings to inform marine conservation. See Timeline. In 2023 I got an MBE for services to wildlife protection and conservation.  

How did you get into it?

I wanted to know how many seals I was seeing and discovered each seal had a unique fur pattern enabling them to be distinguished from one another and tracked for life. Seals are amazing

What made you want to do what you do? 

Seals were an underdog in terms of scientific research. I had lots of questions and aimed to learn more. Ironically I have even more questions about seals 25 years later!

What does it involve?

Surveying my local sensitive seal sites twice a week; counting/aging/sexing seals; processing photos for IDs; sharing seal stories to engage the public to care; using our scientific evidence to inform policy, planning and conservation. Read our Annual Report for more information. 

Did you need any qualifications?

None, but you need a scientific brain, passion, motivation, IT skills, people skills and masses of other transferable skills. Having said this, to work with other organisations these days you like need a marine science degree, but this will only get you an interview….it is your personal skills that will get you the job! 

Any tips for a young person that wants to do what you do?

Find something you love, learn lots about it, volunteer with people who already do what you love and if no-one is currently doing it – start up your own organisation. More careers advice in this talk towards the end.

What is the best part of what you do?

Seeing seals that I have known for years or seals that have been absent of a long time to discover they are still alive. Sharing their incredible stories and behaviour. 

What is the worst part of what you do?

Doing public consultations for statutory agencies is very hard work, but this is likely the most important thing we do for seal conservation

What is your favourite animal?

Seals!

What was the first animal that you fell in love with?

Likely a cat or a bird

What is your favourite place in nature?

A wild natural coastline. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Seal conservation – I never stop! But walking in nature if I have to choose something else!

If you were not doing what you do now what else would you love to do?

I would not wish to do anything else. I am totally obsessive and passionate about what I do now. I love seals!

Who inspires you?

The seals that I know and other like minded people who want to do all they can to protect nature.

What are your hopes for the future?

That young people will get a chance of a decent life on a liveable planet (currently this is not looking likely!) 

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about?

We depend on nature, nature sustains us and without it we have no life (air, food or water)

Where can people find you?

https://www.cornwallsealgroup.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/CornwallSealGroupResearchTrust;

https://www.instagram.com/cornwallsealgroupresearchtrust/;

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-sayer-mbe-917b3a2a/