Marine Biology – A Rewarding career option
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Are you curious about whales and dolphins, love spending time at the ocean and seas and want to learn more about the seas? Then, welcome to Marine Biology. It is a broad career ranging from fieldwork, academic research, consulting, laboratory, charity or policymaking.
Marine Biology is a popular and rewarding career option. It is important to study the marine ecosystem for the constant challenges that it is facing due to human activities. It is a research field that involves the study of all the features of the sea and the dependent environment. It includes marine plants, animals, vertebrate and invertebrate organisms that are present in the deep oceans and shallow seas.
The main objectives of marine biology are to develop a deeper understanding of the marine world, predict changes in the biosphere due to human and natural disturbances and suggest appropriate measures to minimize or remove them.
Who is a Marine Biologist?
Marine Biologist study whales, microbes, planktons and other aquatic organisms with ecosystems in oceans and saltwater environments. The sea and its inhabitants are facing challenges arising due to commercial shipping, plastics, chemicals, boating and other damaging activities done by humans. Marine biologist research how these activities affect marine life and suggest measures to minimize them.
They investigate the behaviour and physiological processes of marine species or the disease and environmental situations that affect them. They study the adverse effects on marine life due to human actions. They learn about the foundational principles of plant and animal life such as origin, anatomy, functions and development.
Responsibilities of a Marine Biologist
- Conducting inventories of species, testing and monitoring of sea creatures that are exposed to pollutants.
- Collecting sample data using coring techniques, geographic information systems, visual recording and sampling.
- Developing new research theories by analyzing lab samples.
- Study various characteristics of species and assess the human impact.
- Researching and analyzing organisms behaviour in the ocean environment.
- Using instrumentation techniques to track and measure the health of various components within the ocean environment.
- Detect pollution by conducting programs and providing assistance to coast guard units.
- Use computer modelling to predict data and work on rebuilding ecosystems.
- Preserving samples of known and unknown species, diseases and map the distribution and movement of marine populations.
- Survey about endangered species by scuba diving and implement preservation methods and strategies.
- Preparation of detailed reports for agencies, funding, commercial organizations, government bodies or oil companies for drilling into the seabed.
- Communicate to the public about the latest research about marine life through conferences, academic publications and aiming for outreach.
- Help policymakers by providing researched scientific materials about the marine environment through government liaison, print and media.
Types of Marine Biologists
Specializing in a particular domain is required for career advancement. Job titles can range from:
- Marine ecologist and dive operations manager
- Reef restoration project manager
- Marine biology technician
- Research assistant
- Fishery data manager
- Environmental engineer
- Professor in marine ecology
- Marine Mammology
- Oil spill response specialist
- Consultant in marine ecology
- Marine biotechnologist
- Marine policy expert.
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Educational Requirements
For a marine biologist, the marine-related degree is required like:
- Oceanography
- Marine Science
- Ocean and Earth Science
- Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology
If the undergraduate degree is broad-based science one like chemistry, physics, biology, natural sciences, microbiology etc then a postgraduate degree specializing in the marine field becomes essential.
Employers
Marine Scientists are employed by marine research institutes and universities, government agencies, NGOs, international organizations and commercial companies.
Some employers are:
- Fisheries and aquaculture organizations
- Energy, oil and gas exploration firms dealing in marine energy
- Marine conservation and environmental consultancies
- Pollution and water control companies
- Statutory environmental protection agencies
- Environmental research institutes
- Museums and aquariums
- Environmental and conservation charities and organizations
- Wildlife trusts
- Marine research laboratories and agencies
Career Prospects and Job Outlook
In 2016, 33% of marine biologists worked in government organizations, 31% in professional, scientific and technical capacities, 14% as professors in universities and colleges.
The job market in research-based marine biology is in cutthroat competition. There is an average growth of 5-9% through 2026 in these jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,000 new jobs in research-based marine biology fields.
The entry-level positions require a basic degree and opportunities to work in ocean laboratories and research institutes where one can take up a PhD. Senior positions require a PhD with management experience and knowledge of obtaining funding and publication in the field.
Marine Biology is a competitive field with vast and varied career options depending solely on academic pursuits and personal passions.
– Samiya Firdous
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