A marine biologist studies the marine biome, i.e., the lifeforms inhabiting this biome, their population, relationship with the habitat, dependence on each other, how they affect the marine ecosystem, and so on. While that may sound interesting, career experts are of the opinion that a career in marine biology is more about being passionate about the environment, rather than making money. It is important to understand that the life of a marine biologist goes well beyond the concepts like 'deep sea diving' and 'five figure salary' which make this profession seem so enticing. Marine Biologist Duties and Responsibilities Marine biologists are hired by environmental assessment bodies, government authorities, educational institutes, etc. As a marine biologist, there are various positions; some requiring overall expertise and some requiring specialization. An environmental biologist, for instance, specifically studies how ocean pollution affects the marine ecosystem. » A marine biologist is supposed to study the marine ecosystem, i.e., study the lifeforms inhabiting the oceans and their interaction with land, atmosphere and the ocean floor. It involves study and analysis of some of the most diverse and interesting aspects of ocean life. » Monitoring the population of different species, studying endangered species to find out why their population is depleting, implementing conservation measures, studying newly found species, and presenting all this information in form of reports or scientific papers, are just a few of the numerous things that marine biologists do. » As a marine biologist, the individual will be conducting research in laboratory or on field, managing projects, analyzing data and interpreting it, preparing detailed reports for assessment, preparing research papers and presenting them. The data compiled in these studies will be eventually used to make policies to save the marine environment. » Other than research, an individual working in this field is also involved in rescue and rehabilitation of marine species, and preservation of the marine environment. He may also have to conduct awareness programs to educate people about the problems faced by the marine life. » As a marine biologist, you also become a sought-after person in the field of teaching, writing, etc. Individual research is yet another lucrative option, but, as in case of teaching, PhD is mandatory for it. Career as a Marine Biologist In order to pursue a career as a marine biologist, you need to have a science background (preferably biology or zoology) with good academic record. The cutthroat competition that one gets to see in this field nowadays, has made a sound educational background all the more important. On completion of academic courses, you are expected to begin your career as an intern. This is a field in which the experience you gain as an intern is much more valuable than your academic records. While a Bachelor's or Master's degree in marine biology/biology/zoology may help you enter the field, your experience will count from thereon and you will continue to 'study' throughout your career. The salary depends on various factors, including the company, designation, place you are based at, your experience, academic performance, etc. On an average, a marine biologist can earn anywhere between $30,000 to $80,000 (depending on all the above mentioned factors). While the salary might seem impressive, limited funding for research and cutthroat competition means less opportunities and high competition in this field.