Occupation
Marine biologist
Marine biologists study organisms that live in the sea and the habitats that support them, from plankton and coral to fish stocks and marine mammals. Fieldwork can involve boats, diving, or shore surveys, but a great deal of the role is sample processing, data analysis, and writing. Work often connects to fisheries management, conservation, or aquaculture rather than pure research.
Also known as: Marine ecologist · Fisheries biologist · Aquatic biologist
Occupation content
Part of Natural sciences and research
What the work involves
- Plan and carry out surveys of marine species, habitats, or water conditions
- Collect and process samples, including sorting, identification, and preservation
- Tag, track, or monitor populations and record observations systematically
- Analyse survey and monitoring data to assess population or habitat condition
- Write reports and advice for conservation bodies, fisheries managers, or regulators
- Follow diving, vessel, and animal handling safety and ethics requirements
How people commonly enter
- A degree in marine biology, zoology, or a broader biological science
- Postgraduate study, which is common for research and specialist advisory roles
- Field or laboratory technician posts, aquaria, or fisheries observer work as entry points
- Volunteer and seasonal survey experience used to build practical field skills
Typical training: Postgraduate or professional degree
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Typical work context
Outdoors · Involves travel · Physically active · Team based · Lab or workshop · Varied work
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Realistic (hands-on)
Related aptitude preparation
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Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Natural sciences and research.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: marine biologist · International
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- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Zoologists and wildlife biologists · United States
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- ESCO — occupations classification browser · European Union
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Natural sciences and research in Canada, not a figure for Marine biologist. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
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Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: education pathways
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Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: licensing
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
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