SEA SAVER.This marine biologist marine biologist specialist in the biology of marine life. works to protect our oceans. Q What's your average day like? As Vice President-Florida Research of Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI HSWRI Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (San Diego, CA) ), my days are never typical. My job includes overseeing the work of our scientists who study the ocean and work to save endangered species endangered species, any plant or animal species whose ability to survive and reproduce has been jeopardized by human activities. In 1999 the U.S. government, in accordance with the U.S. , like manatees and leatherback leatherback, marine turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters around the world. The largest of all turtles, it may reach a length of 7 1-2 ft (230 cm) and weigh 1200 lb (540 kg). turtles. I give public education speeches, fundraise fund·raise or fund-raise also fund raise intr.v. fund·raised, fund·rais·ing, fund·rais·es To engage in fundraising. Verb 1. , plan for our new research center in Florida, and make sure our non-profit organization's commitment to marine conservation gets carried out. Of course, I still get in the water sometimes. Q What sparked your interest in marine biology? I love the ocean. I grew up surfing in Long Island, New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . And as early as seven I knew I wanted to do something with the ocean. But I didn't know what it would be. Q What did you study? I got my Ph.D. in marine biology from Florida Institute of Technology Florida Institute of Technology is an independent technical college located in Melbourne, Florida (Brevard County), United States. It was founded by Jerome P. Keuper on September 22, 1958 as Brevard Engineering College, absorbing the University of Melbourne, and changing its name . I studied sea slugs. Cuddly-looking species like dolphins may get more attention, but most of our biological diversity in the sea is made up of tiny species. We can't ignore them. Q What skills do you need to become a marine biologist? Not only do you need to study traditional sciences like biology, you need to learn the technologies of a rapidly changing world. Computer skills are a must! So are good reading, writing, and verbal skills. Successful scientists can verbally, visually, and graphically present complex ideas in an effective manner. * Marine biologists can earn $25,000 to $100,000 annually. Turtle Tracks How do you follow a turtle that rarely stops swimming (even when asleep)? Scott Eckert of HSWRI outfitted a leatherback in Florida with a harness and satellite transmitter. "China Girl" sends signals picked up by satellite to scientists mapping her whereabouts. The leatherback, the world's largest reptile, spends only a few hours of its 80-year life span out of water. But the giant turtle's wanderlust can cause it to be trapped in fishing nets. Only about 20,000 leatherbacks remain in the Atlantic Ocean, but scientists hope China Girl's travels will help them better understand the species' migratory habits and devise better ways to protect the endangered turtle. * For more on China Girl, check out: www.hswri.org/whatsnew.htm |
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