EXPLORING the mysteries of the sea caves and subterranean passages around the coastline of Wales in an attempt to discover the inhabitants of these little explored areas is local marine biologist Francis Bunker's current study. Sharing his findings, he will give an illustrated talk for the Pembrokeshire Darwin Science Festival at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, on Thursday, June 27, at 7 for 7.30 pm.
The impetus for his work is as a result of a commission by the Countryside Council for Wales. The CCW wanted a comprehensive study of these underwater areas, which are inaccessible to the majority of people.
Francis Bunker, who is leading this exciting study of uncharted territory, is an experienced diver and underwater cameraman. Well known locally through his teaching work at Orielton Field Studies Council, near Pembroke, Francis has now set up his own company, MarineSeen.
He has dived in several parts of the world, but his speciality is studying the marine life of the British Isles. He has filmed and edited several underwater videos and television productions and last year received an award for 'A starlet in the lagoon', a habitat conservation related video produced for WWF-UK.
He is presently working on a web based photographic guide to sea weeds, the sea caves survey for CCW, and a programme to monitor the sub-tidal habitats of marine Special Areas of Conservation around the coast of England (for English Nature). His interests (apart from diving) include teaching swimming and playing bass guitar.
If you would like to hear about this exciting underwater work, tickets to attend his illustrated talk are available from the Festival Office, tel. 01646 699220, e-mail [email protected]">[email protected].