Oliver first joined Marine Dynamics in 2007 as a volunteer while studying Oceanography at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. After returning to the UK and earning his Bachelor of Science (with honours) from the University of Southampton, Oliver returned to South Africa to continue studying Great White sharks. He spent a year in Mossel Bay with Oceans Research, tagging and acoustically tracking sharks before re-joining Marine Dynamics and the Dyer Island Conservation Trust as a full-time crew member, biologist, and skipper in 2009.

Biotelemetry has been central to Oliver’s research, during which he has tagged over 50 Great White sharks with satellite, acoustic, and camera/accelerometer tags. His work includes collaborations with Ocearch, Stanford University, Oceans Research, and Customized Animal Tracking Solutions (CATS). Oliver holds the distinction of tagging three of South Africa’s most iconic white sharks – Slashfin, Nemo, and Zane, contributing significantly to our understanding of their movements.

In 2013, Oliver earned his Master’s in Zoology from the University of Pretoria, focusing on Great White shark movement patterns. His research findings have been published in prestigious journals, including the Marine Ecology Progress Series.

Currently, Oliver is a Research Fellow in Marine Animal Tracking, a position he has held since September 2021, following his role as a Postdoc Research Associate with the Sequeira Lab. He is affiliated with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), leading the ecology team within the EMERGO Project. Despite his international role, he remains an affiliate biologist with the Dyer Island Conservation Trust.

Oliver identifies as a research scientist with specialisations in spatial ecology, biologging, biotelemetry, oceanography, and conservation. His career reflects a deep commitment to communicating scientific knowledge and educating the public about marine ecosystems. Beyond his scientific endeavours, Oliver has engaged in the ecotourism and education sectors, leveraging his expertise to promote marine conservation.