Coral Reef Management (Marine Biology) – Explained

As of late, people everywhere have been taking more and more steps to save the planet through actions such as cutting back on air pollutants, reducing plastic usage and up-cycling waste items. But with water taking up 71% of the Earth’s surface, it is vital that we take care of our oceans and the life it holds. Particularly for us in the Turks and Caicos, our waters are a huge part of who we are, making it that much more important that we take care of it.

If you want to join the fight in saving our oceans and sea life then Marine Biology might be for you.

What is Marine Biology?

Marine biology is the study of marine organisms, their behaviors and interactions with the environment. Marine biologists study biological oceanography and the associated fields of chemical, physical, and geological oceanography to understand marine organisms. Marine biology is a very broad area but the focus of this post will be on the area of Coral Reef Management.

Coral Reef Management, by extension, is the study of coral reefs in order to manage and conserve the coral community and ecosystem.

A Career in Coral Reef Management

Many marine biologists work exclusively in laboratories and offices for research organizations, consultancies, government agencies or universities, analysing observations or data and developing ideas for further investigations. At universities, they may have teaching responsibilities or supervising graduate research students.

Specific to Coral Reef Management, a career in this area might find you conducting regular field studies, collecting specimens at sea and considering policies in order to protect the coral reef systems.

Typical responsibilities include planning experiments and using tracking technology, recording and using specialist computer software to aid with interpreting data from biological processes, as well as writing research papers and reports.

Other careers in Marine Biology include:

Fisheries Biologist
Biotechnology Specialist
Marine Mammalogist
Mircobiologist
Marine Policy Expert

Job Requirements

Marine biology is a science field and therefore to break into this area, it would be essential to have a knowledge of the sciences – specifically Biology and Chemistry in the least. Many universities offer courses in Marine Biology and so it would be a good idea to secure a place on a program. Otherwise, you may be able study biology or another science degree for your undergraduate and progress to marine biology at post-graduate level.

Other skills needed include accurate observational skills and precision in order to measure, collect and analyse delicate data. Patience would be beneficial when research progress seems to be slow or work conditions are unfavourable. A high level of IT and communication skills are also needed. Finally, swimming is essential to this career whether you are on the field taking samples or educating others about the water.

How to Stand Out

To stand out in this field, a knowledge of geography would prove beneficial. You can also join marine clubs and volunteer for different animal trusts or projects to help marine life. This will show your interest in the area as well as your commitment to the field. To really top up your formal studies, knowledge in ethology would set you apart to help you understand animal behavior.