Edinburgh man becomes marine life UN ambassador after being motivated by Star Trek

An Edinburgh man who has dedicated his life to preserving marine biodiversity has been appointed as a UN Ocean ambassador by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.

Award winning Marine Biologist Niru Dorrian from Edinburgh, was first motivated to become involved in marine conservation after watching Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home where they rescued humpback whales from whalers when aged just eight.

After this he dedicated his life to achieving the goal of building a career in marine mammal science.

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Studying marine biology at the University of Stirling, Niru went full circle, finding himself working with the Marine Mammal Center in California and visiting the same aquarium where the motivational Star Trek film was shot.

From there his career kicked off, with Niru working globally on marine mammal programmes across the US, with whale and dolphin conservation in Argentina, environmental monitoring in the Middle East and advising some of the largest energy companies on the planet on how to safely deliver projects.

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His extensive experience then led to him being nominated as an ambassador to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainability by the IMarEST.

“When I was eight I remember watching Star Trek the Voyage Home and they went back in time to save the humpback whales from extinction,” he said. “From then I knew what I wanted to do.

“As a kid I would take part in organised sponsored walks and was always raising money for whale and dolphin conservation. I went to school in Japan and would often visit aquariums here.

“During university it was important for me to go out and chase any incredible opportunity I could and so I ended up in California during the summer at age 20. California is world hub for marine mammal rescue and research and to gain experience there was amazing.

“It is funny to think I ended up in the same aquarium where they filmed the Star Trek movie which motivated me all those years ago. It was inspiring to work hands-on with marine mammals and it is what really started off my career.”

Despite Niru’s amazing experiences working in bottlenose dolphin conservation in Argentina, in a whale and dolphin hospital in Florida and with marine mammal rescue orgnisations in California, the 40-year-old has also had to experience some alarming cases which have driven home the importance of his work.

“I had the privilege of working in the Middle East but while there we discovered islands in marine protected areas (MPAs) and UNESCO biosphere reserves covered in plastic pollution.” he continued. “It made me feel horrific but brought home the danger that single use plastic poses to marine wildlife.

“I’ve witnessed several unusual mortality events where hundreds of animals have died. Between 2013-2016 the warming of the ocean caused fish spawning grounds off the coast of California to move further from the shore.

“Sea lions had to leave their pups behind to forage for food further out at sea. Beaches were littered with thousands of abandoned starving pups, they were also turning up on motorways and in gardens and this required a massive rescue effort.

“I do feel fortunate to work around the world and see first hand the challenges that exist. Biodiversity is in decline, around 68 per cent of the world’s biodiversity has been lost in the past 50 years which is unbelievable.

“There is a real apocalyptic view on climate action at the moment but people do not seem to want to acknowledge this.”

Niru has cultivated a career filled with hands-on experience, from working to save endangered species, to consulting energy companies, as well as volunteering at home to rescue animals in the Forth and teaching others about the importance of protecting the world’s oceans.

This led to the Edinburgh man being appointed by his peers to the ambassadorial role representing over 12,500 marine professionals from the IMarEST and trying to overcome the ‘Ten Ocean Decade Challenges’ which include tackling marine pollution and developing a sustainable, resilient and equitable ocean economy amongst many other difficulties.

“This appointment reflects my longstanding dedication to marine conservation and my efforts to help address the challenges outlined in the 2021-2030 global mission,” Niru said. “I have not stopped since 2004 but everything has led me to where I am now.

“I’m lucky in that I love what I do and I have been so motivated which is a privilege. Not everyone has this opportunity with many working jobs they hate or are necessary for the paycheck, so I am extremely grateful to be here.”

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“My advice for anyone pursuing a career in marine conservation is to get out there and grasp the opportunities field work presents. It is essential to finding your confidence, there is so much to be done and people to network with.

“You have to chase opportunities because they are not just going to come to you. Marine science is a gateway to the world.”

You can learn more about the UN’s Ten Ocean Decade Challenges here.