Rob Hicks was inspired to become a marine biologist after watching Jacques Cousteau on television and an amazing beachcombing session as a five-year-old in the northwest of the UK. He went on to read BSc Marine Biology and Zoology at University College North Wales (Bangor UK) and then went on to complete an MSc in Fisheries Biology and Culture.
Working in the aquarium industry since 1990, Hicks leads the Conservation, Welfare and Education department for Merlin Entertainments and SEA LIFE. With over 50 aquaria around the world, reaching well over 20 million visitors per year, the opportunity to create inspiration to protect the marine environment is huge.
During his career, Hicks has been involved with the design, development, and commissioning of over 25 aquariums globally, building a significant depth to his cross-cultural experience. His passion is around delivering inspiring ‘storytelling’ for the public, whilst driving continual improvement and longevity of a sustainable industry. The sustainability agenda is a priority and must be on many fronts, from environmental impact to business sustainability.
Hicks continues to work with the SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary, the world’s first beluga whale sanctuary and is involved in sharing the learnings from this project with the industry. Speaking to blooloop about the project in 2021, he said:
“Little White and Little Grey were originally taken out of the wild when there were around two, we believe. They were in a ‘benign environment’ where the only stimulus was from humans, for 10 years. That is a huge proportion of their life. They are used to a routine. They’re used to the sun coming up at a certain time; getting fed at a certain time; doing their training for their presentations to the visitors; and the visitors coming in.
“The outcome will start to paint the picture of what the implication for other belugas will look like. The implication, as we envisage it, will be that there is an alternative. It is about giving the animals phenomenal opportunities for stimulation, in other ways than by human interactions.”
In his spare time, he enjoys life in Dorset with his wife, and looking after their three dogs, two horses and four goats.