The first study of marine biology is often credited to the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BCE), who reportedly made observations on sea life.
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Famous marine biologists include Charles Darwin and Rachel Carson, author of The Sea Around Us, while John Steinbeck detailed the profession in a number of his books, chiefly The Log from the Sea of Cortez.
Working as a marine biologist is a richly varied and rewarding job that involves studying the sea and its ecosystems. There are so many different areas within this discipline, but all require strong research and scientific skills. You could be focusing on individual species out in the ocean, from blue whales to phytoplankton, or monitoring the effects of pollution or climate change on habitats such as coral reefs.
Other roles are based almost entirely in laboratories, or in academic research or education, with visits to communities and schools being a core element. Some marine biologists work as fishery data managers, conserving stocks and helping fishing companies ensure their catches fall within legal limits. Then there are consultants working with gas and oil companies or windfarm constructors to find ways to limit the impact of their work on the oceanic environment.
In the UK, marine biologists have been involved in many rewilding projects (called ‘seawilding’ by some), such as creating the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) to protect the local marine habitats off the west coast of Scotland and reverse the decline of fish stocks caused by overfishing. Then there is the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project, which works to protect and enhance internationally important kelp forests in the Channel that have been decimated by trawler fishing.
You can find out more about the whole range of marine science research projects around the UK from the Marine Biological Association.
How do I become a marine biologist?
There are a host of employment opportunities within marine biology. Better still, the path to get there is more straightforward than many other careers. The journey starts at GCSE level, though it is possible to catch up later with top-up qualifications. The core subjects to study include the three sciences plus maths and English. It’s helpful to have information and communication technology (ICT), geography and a foreign language, too.
At A-Level, you will naturally need biology. Chemistry is also important and one or more of physics, maths, geography and computing – though it’s important to check the requirements of the degree course you plan to follow before committing to your choices. Currently in the UK, 22 universities offer 73 courses in marine biology, though if you’re unsure, you may want to consider a broader science-based course, such as biological sciences, environmental sciences or ecology before committing to marine biology later. Further down the line, you might want to do a masters and then a PhD to specialise further and enhance your career prospects.
What are the job roles in marine biologist?
As for getting a job, the advice is the same as for almost any career. Volunteer, gain experience and build knowledge alongside your studies. It could even be as simple as getting involved in beach cleans or rock-pooling sessions with a local Wildlife Trust. Helping out somewhere that specialises in marine biology, such as a zoo or aquarium, can give your CV a huge boost, as can attending specialist conferences where you can meet fellow marine biologists at all levels and perhaps discover what niche you might enjoy most.
It’s worth joining an underwater or scuba diving club at university to gain diving qualifications – especially as these are likely to be subsidised. It could make all the difference when applying for a job.
Do marine biologists earn a lot?
Few people go into marine biology to become rich in financial terms – the rewards are elsewhere. According to the careers advice website prospects.ac.uk, starting salaries for a junior research assistant or lab assistant can be as low as £12,000. A marine biologist with a PhD might earn somewhere between £26,000 and £45,000. A consultant marine biologist could earn much more, depending on the area they are working in.
The hours can be long however, especially working out in the ‘field’. But considering the vast majority of people spend their working lives at a desk, being immersed in nature and helping build our understanding of the world’s precious marine habitats could well be said to be beyond monetary value.
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