Wondering if anyone on here had any ideas what this growth on a shell found on the beach might be? Thought it might be a parasite or perhaps where the shell was damaged.

Hi all, My 11 yr old son really wants to be a marine biologist but he is unsure what routes to take (and I don’t know) now google says some things, but I prefer to listen what people in the industry have to say. Anything he could be doing now to increase his probability of landing a Job? He wants an outdoors role and not office work, more leaning towards animals and nature. What are his options? What’s the advice? We are based in the UK But have strong connections to Portugal and Greece. I’m hoping to get him into diving school in the next 4/5 years to start getting experience and knowledge.

What marine biology jobs are mostly fieldwork and things like actually working with the animals, conservation/sanctuaries and things like that, and studying animals hands on in the ocean. A job like that with not as much research data writing stuff. Obviously there has to be a little bit but not as much as a regular marine biologist does. Basically just a job that's mostly/mainly actually being with the animals or like rescue or something?

I live off the Chesapeake Bay. After a recent cold snap, several speckled trout and spot died and have peppered the shoreline. Initially there were several pelicans and maybe some vulture activity eating and removing the fish but now nothing. What’s species would be the next to help remove or breakdown these fish carcasses? Is this a spring activity or could this happen during the winter?

I found this yesterday night under a rock when the tide was very far out. I don't know of many fish with this body plan where the dorsal fin is so long.

As the title says. It's in ecology / biodiversity / trophic interactions / food-webs, which is my dream, my reason I started studying marine science, I love it! I am so excited!

However, my professor basically gave me a choice between focus area (polar or temperate kelp) as he is specialized in both. How do I choose? How do I even make a decision like that? Both seem absolutely amazing. And advise?

Edit: thanks everyone!! This really helped me realize that it's polar, it's always been polar. I loved working in Antarctica for my thesis, and want to do that the rest of my life. I guess I got tempted with stable funds of kelp, but polar is where I want to go

I am looking to conduct some research in which I will leave a hydrophone in a certain spot for a week at a time in the ocean near reefs. I will install it by scuba diving to selected area. I have found a URec384k which seems perfect for what I’d like to do. Unfortunately I cannot find where to purchase it. I could also use a bottom mounting system. I’m finding a ton of hydrophones that connect with cables but I want mine to be stationary. Any advice would truly help 🙏🏼

As the title says, it seems that sources can’t agree upon this. Most notably, NOAA has Anthozoa as a class whereas WoRMS has it as a sub-phylum. Why would they be classified as one or the other and is there any standardized source where I can find a definite, accurate taxonomic ranking of most marine organisms?

Hey everyone! 🦭

I’m considering a master’s in Marine biology and am looking for some advice regarding job options. I’ve got an MA in environmental philosophy (think environmental ethics, philosophy of science, things like that) and an undergraduate history with a decent chunk of science classes (mostly biology/ecology). I’m looking to either combine my passions or go fully marine biology. I’m particularly interested in rocky intertidal zones, seals, the North Atlantic, food webs, local ecological knowledge in coastal communities, and local coastal subsistence/sustenance. I’m interested in ecosystem “health” type perspectives more than single species, especially in light of human resource use and interactions in coastal environments. I generally know what topics pique my interest but do best with jobs that give me a deeply motivating “why,” and am afraid of doing something that meets only my need for curiosity.

I should clarify that, while I enjoy having a mission and learning about human interactions with the environment, I’m not super interested in doing policy. I am afraid of being stuck behind a desk every day and like being outdoors.

Thank you so much in advance for your help! Cheers!

I recently stumbled across (seemingly somewhat infamous) videos by Skid Kids on Youtube that feature what appear to be intentional breaches of the sand berm between Aliso creek and the ocean in California. The video's were cool but it got me thinking about the environmental impact.

Turns out, to my surprise, this is, and has been an ongoing debate for years in the area. There seem to be two sides to the argument, the first is that doing this is damaging to the offshore ecosystem because its dumping runoff and pollution very quickly into the ocean, and the other side claiming that this is a natural process that's simply being sped up by human intervention.

On the side against the breaching there's Michael Beanan, a graduate in social ecology from UC Irvine and founder of the Laguna bluebelt coalition, which is a non-profit organization focused on marine conservation in Laguna beach.

On the side for breaching there's Blair Conklin, an environmental studies graduate from UC Berkeley

Blair cites an inquiry done by Orange county in 2021which is the county that the creek resides in (but apparently doesn't have jurisdiction over? as the report says the creek is under the jurisdiction of the United States itself??) found that there is basically no significant bacterial concentration of fecal coliform, had virtually no pesticides, but made no mention of things like fertilizer runoff. However the report does state quite plainly

"There is no denying that human intervention can be a catalyst for breaching of the berm. However, this activity, which involves minor digging on the ocean side of the berm, simply speeds up the inevitable breaching that occurs due to tidal action and erosion."

However Beanan points to an earlier study done in 2008 done by the Environmental GIS services for the south coast water district who had plans for capturing urban runoff for recycling projects. When listing the benefits of such a project, the study states

"The proposed project would reduce the average flow of Aliso Creek to bring it closer to historic levels that existed before urbanization in upstream areas caused an increase in flows. Historically, the creek had much lower flows during the rainy seasons and little or no flow during summer months (discussed further in Section 5.2.8, below). The historic conditions allowed the formation of beach sand barriers and formation of pooled areas..."

Both sides seem to have credible people and real reason to believe their side is correct.

So I was wondering, what are your guys thoughts on the breaching of Aliso creek? Is it damaging and should it be made illegal? Or is it not really a big deal?

Hi all! I am getting a masters degree in marine biology in 2026, my focus is eDNA biodiversity analysis.

I really want to apply for jobs outside of the United States and do more field work and just gain more experience before I do my Ph.D.

For people who got jobs outside of the country, where did you look? Universities out the country? Labs out the country?

Are there job boards for this? I have no idea where even to look or what to look for.

Any help would be appreciated!

Hi all,

I wanted to ask if anyone knew of a file, book, or similar digital thing containing all/most of the elasmobranch species' age classes based on their length. If not, no worries, but if you know of one or something to recommend please send it my way <3