Speaker
Richard Peirce
Richard Peirce is a wildlife conservationist with a particular passion for sharks and eco-tourism. Admitting to having been fascinated by sharks all his life, Richard set up the Richard Peirce Shark Conservation back in 1999. An accomplished and entertaining public speaker, Richard is available for after-dinner, keynote and corporate engagements. He is a natural stand up and his talks are pacey, informative and can be very funny.
About Richard Peirce
Richard Peirce is a shark conservationist who has been trying to help ensure a future for this threatened group of animals for twenty-five years. Richard believes that the field of conservation has important aspects which are applicable across many aspects of modern life. The principles of ethical and sustainable actions and behaviour in regard to conservation are all principles that can be applied to almost any area, from business to education.
Richard Peirce has appeared in several documentaries, and on countless radio & TV programmes. He has crammed five divergent careers into his life so far and has some extraordinary tales from personal experience of wars, rock n’ roll, sharks, global travel and Middle East Sheikhs, Kings, Princes, and billionaires.
In 2005 Richard and Jacqui Peirce started Shark Cornwall specifically to provide a vehicle for bringing the existence of sharks in British waters to the attention of the general public. In 2006 they launched the first cage diving in northern Europe working off Cornwall with Blue sharks as the target species. Having successfully launched this “new to Britain” form of shark eco-tourism Shark Cornwall is now working with Cornish skippers to take it forward. The author of seven books: ‘Sharks in British Seas’, ‘Sharks off Cornwall & Devon’ and ‘Shark Attack Britain’, ‘Pirates of Devon & Cornwall’ and ‘Execution Sites of Devon & Cornwall’, and ‘The Poacher’s Moon’. Richard Peirce’s latest book, ‘Giant Steps’, is a powerful piece of literature which traces the lives of two African elephants, and uses their story to assess the question of elephants in captivity and their current conservation status. ‘The Poacher’s Moon’ was first published in Europe in September 2013, and then having sold out was re-published by Random House in Africa. ‘Giant Steps’ will be the second Random House published book and will be followed by ‘The Long Swim’.
After returning from Africa in April 2014, Richard started giving a talk on ‘The Poacher’s Moon’ which not only tells the story of Higgins and Lady (two rhinos who were attacked), but also analyses the problems park rangers have protecting these wonderful creatures, and the steps that can be taken to save this species from extinction in the wild.
Recently various high-profile big-name organisations such as the WWF, the Zoological Society of London, the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Unit and others have published research showing that the battle to save the world’s wildlife is being rapidly lost. Richard believes that a revolution is required among both government bodies and NGOs if we are to save earth’s wild fauna and flora, and this is the subject of one of his new talks.
Richard and his wife Jacqui now divide their time between living in Cornwall, Southern Africa and the Middle East. Conservation projects, film making, photography, and researching his books involves Richard in regular travel all over the world.
Testimonials
"Your talk was fascinating and really hit the right mark with the audience. We have had some lovely e-mails from people who really enjoyed the evening."
Royal Geographic Society
"May I, on behalf of our association and all those who attended your incredible lecture last night, thank you for giving us such a wonderful insight into your world of sharks! I feel sure that your visit will linger on in our minds for many years to come, and hope that through Rory, we may have you back again sometime in the near future."
Penzance Harbour Users Association
"Everybody is raving about your talk and show and I am sure the Trust will benefit by some new members. A really interesting and entertaining evening."
Worthing British Sub Aqua Club
"Not really a talk or a lecture but pure entertainment. A fast moving journey through the world of sharks, laughter, sadness, information, and passion. Not to be missed."
Newton Le Willows
"Thank you very much for the very erudite and exciting talk you gave us yesterday afternoon, which was much enjoyed by all and which provided us with a lot of food for thought."
The University of the Third Age
"Your double talk to the school about Sharks was outstanding and really interesting. Everybody who went to it thoroughly enjoyed the occasion and I am sure that you were aware of the rapt attention around the room. You had 130 people there which was very pleasing, a number which exceeded those whom I had suggested should go by a huge margin."
Blundells School
"Thank you and Maria for your visit to Taunton school and the excellent talk on sharks. The highest form of praise is the pupils are still discussing it!"
Anon
"I am just writing to thank you for the very interesting talk that you gave to our students on the 13th November 2001. Everybody really enjoyed it. I hope we will be able to arrange a similar talk in the future."
Berkshire College of Agriculture
"Richard delivered an excellent talk, aimed at just the right level to engage both the lay listener and the more serious conservationist. Pacy and interesting, with multimedia presentation bringing the dramatic footage into the room, the students were really taken by the plight of these majestic creatures."
Trent College
