Simon has worked as a marine biologist specialising in marine mammals for more than 20 years around the world including roles at the Department of Conservation, Australian Marine Mammal Centre and now Blue Planet Marine.

His work has included pure and applied marine research, leading and project managing large scale, international research projects, publishing a broad range of marine research, representation of both Australian and New Zealand Governments at the International Whaling Commission, and delivering applied and practical solutions to challenging marine conservation and resource-utilisation issues. He has been involved in the tagging of whales for more than five years and has previously tagged humpback and southern right whales in New Zealand and Australia.