The WA Seahorse Project

Deanna is a local snorkeling enthusiast and citizen scientist who has been snorkeling for most of her life and loves to see others sharing her passion. Deanna has monitored seahorse colonies since 2019 in Bermuda. In 2021, Deanna reached out to Conversation Services to familiarise herself with the Bermuda Seahorse Recovery Plan and see how she could help the protected seahorse species. Inspired to make a difference, Deanna approached Warwick Academy and was instrumental in forming the Warwick Academy Seahorse Project (WASP) in January 2022. Since then, Deanna has conducted numerous workshops and seahorse population surveys in hopes to help educate and bring awareness to seahorse conservation around Bermuda. 

Jessica teaches cross curricular lessons at the Warwick Academy Marine Science Facility and has been a teacher at Warwick Academy for almost two decades. Jessica has a passion for inspiring students to want to explore the world of science, especially through hands-on applications. Jessica has had experiences in the rescue and rehabilitation of animals and has been involved in some terrestrial conservation projects. Jessica became fully involved in WASP when Deanna approached her because of her skillset about a collaboration project to help enact the DENR's seahorse conservation plan. Jess believes this grass roots, citizen science project is important to help empower students and the community feel they can make a difference. 

Ed grew up snorkeling Bermuda's waters every summer. While Ed spotted many fish over the years, he had never seen a seahorse until 2021 when Deanna introduced him to breeding pair. Since then he has provided technical support to the team from spearheading the use of sensor equipment, to the creation of our website. Ed is amazed by how many seahorses have already been found and documented and can’t wait to see how many we discover over the next year!

Kate studied Zoology with Conservation in Wales after getting her start in the field as a junior volunteer and junior staff at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ). After university, she worked in Scotland where she dove with sharks, trained seals and worked with captive seahorses. Now back at BAMZ, Kate is responsible for the large Northrock tank. Kate's love for the ocean, experience and science background brings a wealth of knowledge to the team and she strongly believes the more people with helpful knowledge the better! 

Driven by her love for animals and the ocean, Jessica Kehrli volunteers for the Warwick Academy Seahorse Project on her time-off from her full time job as an aquarist at the BAMZ. Jessica graduated from Dalhousie University with a B.Sc., and later earned her C class boat pilot licence, intermediate truck licence, PADI Rescue Diver, and PADI Free Diver certifcations. Jessica brings to the team her knowledge and experience in aquariums, and passion for all things ocean related.

Zoe is an ocean and marine life enthusiast that has spent her life in or around the water. She currently lives in Florida where she is an educator and graphic designer. Zoe's heart for environmental protection has lead her to work as an Aqua Camp Counsellor at BAMZ, an Animal Educator at SeaWorld Orlando and briefly with a coral reef restoration organization. She has played an instrumental role in WASP by using her digital skills to help setup the data collection systems, and designing digital and print media including the WASP logo.