Mark Smith
Complete CV PDF

Mark's professional experience includes the comprehensive design, construction, operation and administration of world-class zoological,
educational and research institutions.

While at Sea World Australia, Mark was responsible for coordinating a team of 60 husbandry and engineering personnel. His role included the
design, commissioning and operation of marine exhibits and the coordination of research activities (e.g., capture, assessment, tagging and
release of marine turtles; DNA sampling of humpback whales; aquaculture of food fishes; submarine archaeology; etc.).nMark implemented
new diving legislation (AS2299-1990) and established a marine turtle rescue and rehabilitation program. Mark started Sea World's education
programme and their research and rescue foundation. While acting as chair of the SMCLG royal commission, Mark implemented practices
that improved the safety of the beach protection program, reducing by-catch of humpback whales, dolphins, dugong and marine turtles.

As director at L'Aquárium de Barcelona, Spain, Mark oversaw the entire construction and startup of the aquarium from a biological, technical and
operational perspective. Mark reprised his role as director at the Oceanário de Lisboa, Portugal, where he recruited, trained and coordinated the
husbandry, engineering and education departments. He then undertook the role of company director, where he developed the company's
corporate identity and international profile.

Mark went on to form cosestudi, a design firm that specializes in the conceptualisation, design and implementation of science-related exhibits.
In addition, he took on the role of executive director at the Ocean Explorium at New Bedford Seaport, Massachusetts, USA.

Mark has worked with a wide variety of aquatic organisms, including cetacea, pinnipeds, dugong, penguins, alcids, shorebirds, sea otters,
freshwater otters, sea turtles, amphibians, a wide variety of elasmobranchs and teleosts, chimeras, seahorses, sea dragons, king crabs,
cephalopods, jellyfish, and corals. Associated activities have included: permitting, wild acquisition, design and development of exhibits,
development of husbandry protocols, recruitment and training of husbandry staff, oversight of husbandry, clinical care and educational
interpretation. Mark initiated and co-organized the 1st International Elasmobranch Husbandry Symposium and was senior editor of the Elasmobranch Husbandry Manual.