Financial barriers, geography, and limited career pathways are keeping young people from working in marine conservation.
A new report by the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Pelagos highlights these issues in the marine conservation sector in Wales.
The research found a lack of entry-level roles, restricted vocational routes, and broader structural barriers are making the field difficult to enter, especially for those from less advantaged backgrounds.
The report, Improving Social Mobility within Wales's Marine Conservation Sector, was produced with input from young people, employers, and stakeholders across south west Wales.
Nadia Tomsa, 27, charity director at Sea Trust Wales, said: "This report is extremely important in pushing towards a fairer, more accessible marine conservation sector in Wales."
The study pointed to the 'huge shortage' of entry-level opportunities as a significant challenge, as well as the competitiveness of unpaid or fee-based internships.
Ms Tomsa said: "Work placements/internships to gain experience in the sector are incredibly competitive.
"Unpaid internships or those with a fee attached create a barrier to lower-income individuals gaining experience."
As someone from a working-class background in the South Wales Valleys, she said she personally felt the impact of these barriers during her university years.
Ms Tomsa said: "I often felt disadvantaged because I couldn’t access the exciting internship opportunities my friends could."
Now, as a charity director, she sees these challenges from the employer's perspective as well.
She said: "I see a charity that struggles to keep the funding coming in to fund the core team and continue its local conservation, education and research work, and I meet numerous talented, passionate, young people who are struggling to find a role in the marine conservation world."
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