Marine biologists study the origin, structure, functions and behaviour of
all forms of life in the sea and connected estuaries, rivers and lakes,
their relationships with each other and how they are affected by
environmental factors.
Marine biologists perform many
varied tasks depending on their area of specialisation and the area they are
working in. As part of research they could estimate numbers of marine
animals, study communities of marine organisms or assess the effect of
introduced species. They may develop programs for monitoring pollution and
provide information on marine conservation. They will spend time preparing
scientific reports and papers. They may also be involved in teaching and
giving advice to managers, politicians, primary producers and the public.
Cetologist - a scientist
interested in whales, dolphins, & porpoises
marine ecologist and dive operations manager
reef restoration project manager
marine biology technician
research assistant
fishery data manager
environmental engineer
professor in marine ecology
postdoctoral fellow
oil spill response specialist
consultant in marine ecology
marine biotechnologist
marine policy expert.
Although most roles require strong technical, research and scientific
skills, specialising in a particular area is usually required for career
progression - whether in coastal management, reef ecology, invertebrate
biodiversity, fisheries biology or marine pollution.
Knowledge, skills and attributes
interest in the marine environment and its inhabitants
analytical and problem solving ability
good written communication and mathematics skills
able to work as part of a team
Duties and Tasks
Marine biologists may perform the following tasks:
estimate the numbers of marine organisms and analyse
their population features
observe communities of marine organisms and work out
the factors influencing their structure
assess and advise on the causes, effects, prevention
and control of introduced species
use numerical and statistical skills to design
laboratory and field experiments
design and carry out environmental impact assessments
to work out whether change is caused by natural or human factors
participate in studies aimed at predicting the effects
of proposed developments
develop long-term programs for monitoring
environmental pollution
manage fisheries
provide information and recommendations for the
development of marine conservation and harvesting policies and programs,
including aquaculture
write scientific reports on research and
investigations, and prepare more general information for scientific,
managerial, political and general audiences
conducting species inventories, testing and
monitoring sea creatures exposed to pollutants
collecting samples and data-using processes such
as coring techniques, geographic information systems (GIS), visual
recording and sampling
analysing samples in a lab and developing new
research theories from them
preserving specimens and samples of unknown
species and diseases and mapping the distribution, ranges or movements
of marine populations
scuba diving to survey endangered organisms and
implementing preservation strategies
designing scientific experiments and collating
findings
preparing detailed reports for agencies, funders,
commercial organisations, governmental bodies or oil companies drilling
on the seabed
communicating the latest advances in marine
science to help improve the ways in which we look after our oceans
through academic publications, conferences or outreach
carrying out environmental impact assessments
evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or
development, including socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts
interviewing local divers, fisherman and
stakeholders about animal behaviour and local marine practices
lecturing or teaching on policy, planning and
management of marine activities
conducting expeditions on fishing and research
vessels in all types of seas
providing policy makers with the scientific
information needed to best manage the marine environment and advocating
this in the policy process through government liaison, press and media
carrying out educational work and raising
awareness of issues with the public, governments and commercial
organisations
developing, implementing and managing projects
relating to the marine environment
conducting educational and awareness-raising work
by presenting talks to government ministers, the public, fellow
academics and commercial employers
coordinating and tracking of assignments, scopes,
schedules budgets and deliverables
senior level management of existing and new
projects within or outside an academic setting
writing grant proposals, contract negotiations,
marketing and business development
keeping up to date with new research and
technologies and attending training courses
liaising with colleagues across the field
including fellow research staff, technicians, ships' crews and research
assistants
lecturing on specialist subjects and supervising
Masters and PhD students.
Working conditions
Marine biologists may be required to work both in the laboratory and for
extended periods at sea or on shore-based field stations. Fieldwork may
include working on commercial fishing vessels, small inshore vessels or
scuba diving.
It should also be noted that much of the work of many marine biologists
involves office work, research, writing of reports and long hours in
laboratories. Very few graduates get the glamorous job of swimming with
dolphins and whales.
Tools and technologies
Marine biologists must be familiar with the technology associated with their
particular specialisation. They need to be capable of conducting
experiments, typically in a laboratory, to complete the research process.
They may also need to be able to skipper a boat and scuba dive.
Education and training/entrance
requirements
To become a marine biologist you usually need to study a science degree with
a major in marine science, coastal and marine science, marine and freshwater
biology or a related field.
Did You Know ?
Sharks attack some 50-75 people each year worldwide, with
perhaps 8-12 fatalities, according to data compiled in the International
Shark Attack File (ISAF). Although shark attacks get a lot of
attention, this is far less than the number of people killed each year
by elephants, bees, crocodiles, lightning or many other natural dangers.
On the other side of the ledger, we kill somewhere between 20-100
million sharks every year through fishing activities.
Of
the 350 or so shark species, about 80% grow to less than 1.6 m and are
unable to hurt people or rarely encounter people. Only 32 species have
been documented in attacks on humans, and an additional 36 species are
considered potentially dangerous.
Almost any shark 1.8 m or longer is a potential danger, but three
species have been identified repeatedly in attacks: the great white,
tiger, and bull sharks. All three are found worldwide, reach large sizes
and eat large prey such as marine mammals or sea turtles.