Marine Biologist Duties & Responsibilities
The role and function of a Marine Biologist includes the following duties and responsibilities:
- Conduct inventories, testing and monitoring of marine life exposed to pollutants.
- Collect and analyze samples, and develop new theories based on this research.
- Engage in coring techniques, geographic information systems (GIS), visual recording and sampling in order to determine the health of the marine environment.
- Coordinate and track assignments, schedules and budgets.
- Lecture on policy, planning and management of marine activities.
- Conduct expeditions on fishing and research vessels in polar, temperate and tropical seas.
- Provide policymakers with the scientific information needed to best manage the marine environment and advocate this in the policy process through government liaison, press and media.
- Preserve specimens and samples of known and unknown species and diseases.
- Track the distribution, ranges and/or movements of marine populations.
- Scuba dive to survey endangered organisms and implementing preservation strategies.
- Prepare detailed reports for agencies, funders, commercial organizations, government organizations or oil companies drilling on the seabed.
- Communicate the latest findings on marine biology through academic publications, conferences or outreach.
- Conduct environmental impact assessments that evaluate possible environmental impacts of proposed projects or developments.
Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Marine Biologist duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Marine Biologist roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.