Marine Biology Career FAQs

We get asked LOTS of questions about careers in marine biology, so we’ve decided to add this FAQ section to our site. Over time we’ll be writing posts that give you honest and upfront answers, and we hope you find them useful!

First up is:

Do Marine Biologists Have to SCUBA Dive?

A Beachcomber’s Guide to Shells and other Wildlife Found on the Seashore

Many of us have enjoyed a stroll along a beautiful beach at some stage and we all have stories about the interesting things that we've found. In fact, the seashore is a great place to start learning about life in our oceans! A short walk along the wrack line can provide us with clues as to what's living in the sea close by. Natural things commonly found washed up on the beach … [Read More...] about A Beachcomber’s Guide to Shells and other Wildlife Found on the Seashore

Do Marine Biologists Have to SCUBA Dive?

One question that we frequently get asked by students considering a career in marine biology is whether they need to learn to SCUBA dive. Marine biologists do not have to be able to dive. Many roles are lab or office based and field work frequently involves surveys which are boat based or on the shoreline. You actually don't even need to know how to swim! Ofcourse, it is … [Read More...] about Do Marine Biologists Have to SCUBA Dive?

How to Identify a Mermaid’s Purse

Collecting and identifying mermaids' purses on the shoreline can be a fun activity for the whole family, and although some skate and ray eggcases can be difficult to identify, there are a number of species that can be easily recognized without the eye of a specialist. In fact, mermaid's purse spotting is fast becoming a popular beachcombing activity around the world, with citizen scientists … [Read More...] about How to Identify a Mermaid’s Purse