An Interview with Sea Shepherd’s Mark Muschamp

If you feel inspired by what Mark and the rest of Sea Shepherd are doing to save our oceans don’t forget that you can donate to this incredible charity at Checkout. 100% of the donations go straight to the charity to help them continue to do their important work.

Enjoy this weeks blog lovelies.

Vic x

Our volunteers put themselves directly in front of those people and organisations wishing to harm marine wildlife of all types. This ranges from our ships going into the Southern Ocean in Antarctica to defend whales from the harpoons of the Japanese whaling fleet, all the way down to stopping poachers from taking smaller wildlife like Sea Cucumbers and everything in between.

My role within Sea Shepherd UK is as the joint coordinator of our Marine Debris Campaign and our Ghostnet Campaign. The former is a campaign which encourages our volunteers and the general public to partake in organised beach cleans around the UK. These are a great way for people to understand the problems facing our oceans through waste plastics and other debris. The Ghostnet Campaign utilises experienced divers to recover discarded fishing nets and other fishing gear which is know as ‘Ghost’ Fishing gear. Discarded nets are responsible for the destruction of marine wildlife on a massive global scale. Our campaign focuses on waters around the UK as well as assisting others in the Middle East. In addition to these roles, I am a joint Regional Coordinator for the South West which involves supporting our volunteers and encouraging them to get as involved as possible in our campaigns and other events. I am also a company director for the charity’s trading company which deals with the sale of our merchandise at events and in our online shop.

WHAT DOES AN AVERAGE DAY WORKING AT SEA SHEPHERD LOOK LIKE?

Technically I don’t work for Sea Shepherd as an employee so a typical day mostly happens in the evenings and at weekends as I have a full-time job which keeps me extremely busy too. Mostly my time spent ‘working’ for Sea Shepherd involves ensuring volunteers who are attending events such as vegan fairs have the merchandise they need to sell and checking all the orders placed online in our store to make sure they are being fulfilled promptly. In addition I will be creating posters and other graphics for the charity and maintaining three of our Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) that we use on campaigns. On average I would be spending two to three hours an evening on Sea Shepherd matters, working with our excellent and dedicated volunteers to ensure things run as smoothly as possible and that they are fully supported.  At weekends, I am often away with the boats taking divers to net recovery sites.

IF YOU COULD VISIT ONE PLACE ON EARTH WHERE WOULD YOU GO?

I love cold places and my dream for my 50th birthday (2021!) is to do a sea kayak expedition in the arctic or the antarctic.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE THREE DREAM DINNER DATES WHO WOULD THEY BE?

That’s a really tough one. I think it would depend on what mood I’m in. Dining with Richard Dawkins, Bill Murray and Baruch Spinoza would be fascinating, although it would have to be a very long dinner because I wouldn’t want it to end. I’ve always admired Richard Dawkins for his rational thinking and his amazing knowledge of evolutionary biology and how it contrasts with biblical thinking. Baruch Spinoza was a man who led his life according to a philosophy of tolerance and benevolence, something we could all learn from. Bill Murray? Well he’s Bill Murray! Who wouldn’t want to have dinner with such an unpredictable genius?

FAVOURITE FOOD?

Since turning vegan in 2013, I’ve been on a fantastic journey rediscovering food and cooking. So it is with a great sense of shame to admit that I can’t resist a decent bag of salt and vinegar crisps!

WHAT ALWAYS BRINGS A SMILE TO YOUR FACE?

Dogs. Simple as that.

IF YOU WERE A SUPERHERO WHAT POWERS WOULD YOU HAVE?

The power to give people empathy just by looking at them! I could think of dozens of people in politics and the public eye who could do with an unexpected injection of empathy!

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME AT SEA SHEPHERD?

That’s a tough one because I have learned so much in the 7 years I have been involved. I have been on campaigns in Japan, Scotland and the Faroe Islands and on those travels I have learned a great deal, particularly about people, whether it be our volunteers or the people in the places where we are challenging their abuse of wildlife. I guess I have learned that, in what can seem like a relentlessly cruel world, there are still fantastic people whose dedication to a cause can really make a difference. Sea Shepherd volunteers are a breed apart. They are fearless, determined and above all generous people who give up their time and money to help save our most precious natural resource, the oceans.

IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE MESSAGE TO OTHERS ABOUT SEA SHEPHERD WHAT WOULD IT BE?

That Sea Shepherd and its volunteers are unique. Our methods aren’t always to everyone’s liking, but we get results almost all the time. I’d encourage everyone to find out more about us by visiting our website, going on YouTube and meeting up with our volunteers at events. You’ll be hooked! (I’d also say don’t forget to donate!)