Jack is making a name for himself on marine ecology

A YOUNG Clonakilty’s man passion for marine life and the environment was highlighted on the world stage when he appeared on BBC World News to an audience of over 100 million people.

Speaking to The Southern Star, following his recent TV appearance, 23-year-old Jack O’Donovan ‘Trá’, who works as  campaigns officer for the Marine Conservation Society in London said it was a brilliant experience.

‘I was being interviewed about the UN’s new treaty to protect the high seas and it was a segment on the show. It was a great experience and it’s my biggest interview to date,’ said Jack.

‘There was a great reaction to it  when I posted it online and my parents, Fionnuala and Tim saw it too and were very proud of me.’

The former NUIG zoology graduate only moved to London last January and impressed so much in one particular interview that his current employer ended up creating a new position for him.

‘I had applied for a different position with them – which I knew I wasn’t qualified for – and after the interview they called me back to say they really liked me and wanted to offer me another job and they created a brand new position in the company. I love London and am really enjoying my job too.’

Jack’s CV boasts some impressive stints around the world, including time spent in Greece volunteering on a sea turtles project, while he also spent time as a research intern with a non-profit whale research organisation called the North Coast Cetacean Society in British Columbia in Canada. 

Jack is currently working on a project that is much closer to home here in West Cork.

‘I am working at the moment making a short  documentary on the kelp forests in Bantry, outside of work hours, and I am hoping to have this finished by January next year,’ added Jack, who has been scuba diving in Bantry in recent weeks to get closer footage of the kelp forests.