Expertise: Chagos Islands

 

Growing up in South Africa, Jon Slayer’s playground was Sea World in Durban where his father was a marine biologist. His first job was assisting with dolphins, seals and penguins at Shaka Marine World and during his high school holidays participating in field trips to survey the reefs of Aliwal Shoal and corals of Sodwana Bay. His working career has remained adventurous, as an outdoor activities training instructor in a game reserve in South Africa, white water safety kayaker on grade 5 rapids of the Zambezi River below Victoria Falls, and more recently as a Commissioned Officer in the Royal Marine Commandos. Since resigning his commission, Jon has returned to his roots and qualified as a commercial scuba diver in order to focus on filming the fascinating creatures that live beneath the surface. His films have focused on the beauty and diversity of marine life around the globe, also highlighting conservation issues and the difficulties facing coastal communities that are reliant on dwindling marine resources.

 

“Chagos is marine paradise, nature left to thrive largely free of human degradation. If we let science, reason and long term benefits govern our management of oceans and fisheries this is an example of how productive and resilient our seas can be – a fine legacy for future generations.”