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With a coastline that extends over 12,500 kms, if you are a marine biologist in Western Australia, you cover a vast area.
'The role of a marine biologist varies, but it always involves the study of marine animals and plants to further our understanding of how these organisms live in the sea. And usually, it's with a view to protecting them,' says Fisheries WA research scientist, fin fish section, Dr Jill St John.
Work can involve going to sea or working from a shore-based field station where biologists may scuba dive to collect or observe specimens. They may be engaged in monitoring the eating habits of fish for example, to get an understanding of their diet and how the fish utilises its habitat. Or they may be tracking the distribution and abundance of a particular species.
However, most marine biologists need to view their subjects under a microscope, so samples are collected which are then preserved, labelled and then stored to be taken back to a laboratory. It is here that much of their time is spent examining specimens, recording data and applying statistical methods to that data.
Michael Borowitzka, Associate Professor of Marine Science at Murdoch University says,
'Marine biology involves more than swimming with dolphins and whales - a commonly held misconception of the role. In fact, only one third of my time is spent in the field and I am most interested in phycology, the study of algae and seaweed.
Like the myriad of organisms in the ocean, many of which are yet to be discovered, marine biology encompasses many areas of specialist research. Those who specialise in ecology, look into how living organisms interact with their environment. Those with an interest in physiology study how organisms function. Marine drug discovery is another interesting area of specialty.
'When you extract chemicals and various compounds from some marine organisms, you may find active compounds that are beneficial for use in cancer treatment and for applications such as herbicides and sunscreens,' says Max Rees.
Max, who works for the Australian Institute of Marine Science (Dampier), is currently looking into various aspects of coral ecology such as habitat assessment, the effects of bleaching, coral reproduction and reef reseeding to repopulate degraded coral reefs.
A Complete Process
'I like the whole process of marine biology. You start out with a question and try to find the answer by going through different steps. You determine your questions, design and undertake your experiment, do the statistics and finally write up your results,' says Jill St John.
You clearly need an interest in the sea and its creatures. You need energy to undertake your field activities and you need data analysis skills. Good communication skills are also required, not only for writing and presenting reports, but also for use in the field as you may spend up to a month on a boat with a group of people whom it pays to get along with!
Employment prospects for marine biologists are largely dependent on federal and state government funding allocations. Activity levels in the resource sector, particularly offshore petroleum drilling, also effects employment. Because offshore drilling causes marine disturbance, and companies are increasingly held responsible for the rehabilitation of their sites, marine biologists are employed to monitor the effects of drilling.
As Australia has one of the largest areas of ocean in the world in its jurisdiction, there will always be a need for marine biologists to monitor that environment. However, it's a very small occupation, in terms of numbers and therefore, competition for positions is extremely competitive. Sideways moves into other areas may be necessary for some graduates. For example, there are opportunities for marine biologists to move into aquaculture, an area of expected stronger employment growth.
Marine biologists may work in universities, for Fisheries WA, national organisations such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority, Australian Institute of Marine Science, CALM, CSIRO or consult to industry as an environmental 'expert'.
Salaries start at around $28,000 in marine biology. Those with more experience or post graduate qualifications may earn in the vicinity of $40,000 to $50,000 a year. For those who move into managing projects and other people, salaries may go as high as $80,000.
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