Kat Mason | Divemaster | Freediver | Commercial Drone Pilot | Ocean Advocate | UK | Thailand
Kat is a marine biologist (MSc), Divemaster, freediver, commercial drone pilot, and ocean advocate. Her focus is on elasmobranch research and conservation; having worked from the Caribbean, to the Maldives, and Southeast Asia, using baited remote cameras, drones, and non-invasive tags to monitor a wide range of shark and ray species.
Kat is passionate about the ocean, nature, travel, and outdoor adventure, which has inspired her photography and drone videography. She is currently working as a marine biologist and drone pilot in Thailand for her co-founded project ARRI - Aerial Recon & Recovery Initiative.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
I spent time as a child in Florida, which I believe truly shaped the rest of my life. The wildlife there was truly abundant and I absolutely fell in love with the ocean. Just off the beach, you could see sharks swimming around the pier, and wading in the shallows, schools of stingrays would swim between your ankles.
Paddleboarding one day, there were dolphins jumping just in front of me. I knew I wanted to spend as much time as I could in nature, doing whatever I could to keep these animals thriving, and to help those that weren’t.
What/who currently inspires you?
My friends and colleagues who work tirelessly to conserve threatened species and the marine environment; sometimes in incredibly challenging places and sacrificing a lot to do so. Sylvia Earle, who paved the way for female scientists and divers and who told me “rules are made to be broken”.
Madison Stewart, who was the first person I really saw taking a big risk to bring awareness to the plight of sharks in Australia from nets and longlining.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I studied Environmental Science at Plymouth University in order to gain a broader, more interdisciplinary knowledge of the environment, and the global challenges we’re faced with. In my final year, I specialised in marine topics, including policy and conservation, and became certified as an HSE Class IV Commercial Diver.
After my undergraduate degree, I became a PADI Divemaster and gained experience working in the field on various shark research projects, where my love of freediving began. I decided to go back to university to study MSc Marine Biology and undertook research on reef sharks in the Cayman Islands.
Since then, I’ve worked in various countries with sharks, manta rays and mobulas, and wouldn’t change a thing.
What do you value most in life?
Family, friends, the ocean, nature and the incredible wildlife we're so privileged to witness.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
The state of our oceans. The waste, pollution, habitat degradation, overfishing – the list goes on. Whilst we as individuals may be doing our utmost to recycle and reduce our own waste, large corporations are going relatively unchecked, causing massive devastation globally.
What brings you the most joy?
Being in the ocean, swimming with sharks and manta rays. There's nothing else quite like it.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams?
Just go for it. Chase your dreams and don’t let anything stop you. Gain experience, make contacts, work hard and believe in yourself, because you are capable of anything.
