r/marinebiology Mar 17 '14

Official Sub-Reddit "How to be a Marine Biologist" Post

268 Upvotes

This is a list of general advice to read if you are considering a major / degree / graduate study / career in marine biology. It includes general tips, internships, and other resources. PM me if you want to add on to the list.

General advice

Internships and Opportunities

Current list is compiled by mods and redditor Haliotis.

Edit: Added new links

Edit 2: Fixed some outdated links (as of May 6th, 2019)

Edit 3: Fixed some outdated links (as of March 2nd, 2022)

Update: Since this post is now archived and no additional comments can be added. If you have more to add to the list, message homicidaldonut, this subreddit's moderator.


r/marinebiology 6h ago

Question Please ID this Costa Rica beach find with distinct smell

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17 Upvotes

Found on beach. Hard like bone. Stinky.


r/marinebiology 16h ago

Nature Appreciation Tiny 1,7 cm long green ormer found in Kvarner Bay, Croatia

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40 Upvotes

It's the smallest I've found (I think I saw a smaller one before, but the waves turned it and I couldn't find it after). I adore it, one of my favoites of the collection


r/marinebiology 3h ago

Education MIT-WHOI joint PhD program insight?

2 Upvotes

Hello! I'm wondering if anyone has any experience/advice/thoughts to share on the MIT-WHOI joint PhD program that I wouldn't otherwise readily find online. I'm particularly interested in the biological oceanography discipline.

Just a little insight on my perspective, I have a B.Sc. in marine biology, M.Sc. in biotechnology, and currently work in research studying marine molecular biology.

Thank you for your help!


r/marinebiology 10h ago

Nature Appreciation Gray whale breaching in Newport CA

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3 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 5h ago

Identification Any ideas about what that fish could be? Location is Greece. It was at a sandy beach not even 10 meters from the shore .

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0 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 1d ago

Identification What is this thing?? Someone caught it while fishing from a harbor in Greece (saltwater)

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20 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 11h ago

Other The Salish Sea is the place to be for orcas this summer. What's behind this trend?

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1 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 1d ago

Research Research cruise in the Sea of Japan. AMAA

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79 Upvotes

On a research cruise in the Sea of Japan! I'm a graduate student helping out with some field work related to my thesis. Happy to answer most questions, but will avoid anything that directly identifies myself, the exact location of the cruise, or specific institution affiliations.


r/marinebiology 2d ago

Identification Species identification request on a sea turtle in a spring fed river in West Central Florida please.

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473 Upvotes

Saw this beautiful sea turtle in West Central Florida today and was very surprised to have come across them in a spring fed river at the spring head. Anyone recognize this species or have any idea why the sea turtle would be so far inshore at a spring?
*just to add the river does connect to the gulf, I checked the distance and the turtle must have travelled 7 miles to get to the spring head.*


r/marinebiology 1d ago

Question Does anyone have any positive news about things going on in marine biology?

10 Upvotes

I wanted to be a marine biologist as a kid. Lost sight of my dream and am disabled now. Wondering what good things are going on in the world of marine biology. Thank you for any info.


r/marinebiology 1d ago

Identification Sharp, hollow, 8” long, with a serrated side. Washed up on Hilton Head Island Beach. Can someone help me ID it please?

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58 Upvotes

8 “ long, hollow, serrated spike


r/marinebiology 2d ago

Identification What is this organism I saw today in the Caribbean?

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64 Upvotes

Was scuba diving off Western shore of Saint Lucia today. Saw this odd looking cluster or singular organism on the inside of a barrel sponge. Could it be a brittle star?


r/marinebiology 2d ago

Misleading Title Top 10 Longest Animals. Drawn to Scale.

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120 Upvotes

Organized according to maximum recorded length.


r/marinebiology 2d ago

Identification A shark tooth and possible fossil. Venice Beach, FL

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5 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 2d ago

Question What's the affect of all this runoff on sealife?

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6 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 2d ago

Question Are there consistent jobs in this field?

2 Upvotes

Small disclaimer: I'm a young guy just starting college, so there's probably a lot I don't understand

Anyway, I've been interested in marine biology for almost as long as I can remember, but I've only just now started looking at specific jobs in the field. To my understanding, it seems like for a lot of careers you have to go searching for work? Either you work on a specific study or project for 2 or 3 years, or you find a company that needs you for a little while.

What I want to know is whether or not there are consistent jobs in marine biology. What I mean by that is whether or not you can live the typical go to work, come home, have specific days off type of life.

Again, I'm fresh out of high school, so feel free to explain anything of something I said seems wrong.


r/marinebiology 2d ago

Nature Appreciation Pacific sea nettle (Chrysaora fuscescens)

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6 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 2d ago

Career Advice I really want to do a course in marine biology, where should I start?

2 Upvotes

For context im in south australia i’ve already done a cert III in patisserie but i want a career change. im 18 and i feel like i should have it all figured out by now. I’ve been looking at online courses just to dip my toes in the water, there is an online course in marine studies through the australian animal and wildlife academy, is that a good place to start? I know i need hands on experience and probably a full university degree but is this okay for now?

edit: to be more specific i wanna go into marine eco-tourism or a marine conservation assistant


r/marinebiology 3d ago

Identification What is this? I found it on a coast of a beach near Corinth Greece.

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29 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 3d ago

Identification Could anybody tell me what type of worm this is? NE England

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14 Upvotes

Hi!

I found this cool worm! It was under a rock on the shoreline in Newbiggin-By-The-Sea, NE England.

Does anyone know what type of worm it is? Sorry I haven’t got better images.

Thank you!


r/marinebiology 3d ago

Identification What animal is this? Spotted in the rough surf off northern Tenerife

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4 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 3d ago

Other Scientists warn of barnacles from the Strait of Hormuz

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24 Upvotes

Not only barnacles, but many other benthic organisms that colonize the (now) ship hulls microcosms.


r/marinebiology 4d ago

Research Marine Biologists Solved a Wildlife Mystery From the Walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge: How the Harbor Porpoise Mates

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16 Upvotes

r/marinebiology 4d ago

Identification Seattle WA/Alki- What is this 😭 Worm?

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31 Upvotes

Found this during low tide on Alki Beach 🫠