Will Rayment is
a lecturer in the Marine Science Department at Otago University. He was recently interviewed about his
work.
What is your job?
I am a lecturer
in the Marine Science Department. My job is to do research on marine science
and teach our undergraduate and postgraduate students. My field of research is
marine mammal biology and conservation - the species I work on most are
southern right whales, sperm whales and Hector's dolphins.
Do you like being a marine biologist, and why?
I love being a
marine biologist. I love being out on the ocean, in boats, diving and
snorkelling. I get the opportunity to go to amazing places, see heaps of cool
stuff and meet some really interesting and passionate people. I am driven by
the desire to try and conserve our marine life so future generations will be
able to appreciate it as well.
What is the best place in New Zealand to see marine life?
That depends on
what you think is "best". Marine Reserves probably offer the best
opportunity to see the marine environment in a natural state, i.e. not
influenced by fishing and disturbance by humans. The first marine reserve in NZ
was designated at Leigh, just north of Auckland, in 1977. In that time, the
populations of seaweed, fish and crayfish have recovered to natural levels.
It's a fantastic place to go for a snorkel.
My favourite
place to explore is the Auckland Islands in the sub-Antarctic, 450 km south of
mainland New Zealand. In the winter it is the breeding area for hundreds of
southern right whales. There are so many that you have to drive your boat very
slowly to avoid bumping into them. They can be very curious and will sometimes
approach very close.
What inspired you to become a marine biologist?
I was inspired
to become a marine biologist because I was fascinated by life in the oceans. I
grew up near the sea and loved going out in boats and getting under the water.
Marine biology seemed like a super exciting career, that would take me to some
beautiful places and meet some amazing people.
How much money do you earn?
How much you earn depends on what kind
of job you do. A marine biologist working in practical conservation might earn
about $30,000 a year when they start off their career. A professor at a
university could eventually earn $150,000 a year. The main thing is that most
marine biologists don't do the job because they are interested in earning a big
salary. They do it because they love the job, and they want to make some kind
of positive difference to the world.
How long did it take you to become a marine biologist?
I started my
career path by studying biology at university. Then I did a Masters degree in
conservation, and a PhD in marine science. That was 8 years of study for me in
total. However, I got my first marine biology job straight after my first
degree. There is no set, rigid path to becoming a marine biologist. No matter
how old you are, or how much study you have done, if you are learning about
biology in the oceans, you can call yourself a marine biologist.
What type of equipment do you use in marine research?
For my research
on whales and dolphins, the most important pieces of equipment are a good
camera, a GPS and a sturdy boat. Much of what I do involves photographing and
identifying unique individual whales and dolphins. That enables me to learn about
their populations: how many there are, how long they live and how they move
around. These questions are really important in figuring out how to protect
endangered species.
Where did you study to become a marine biologist?
I was born in
England, so I did much of my study there. I went to Oxford University for my
Bachelors degree and then did a Masters degree at University College London. I
came to New Zealand in 1999 because the opportunites for marine biology are so
amazing here. I did my PhD at the University of Otago in Dunedin, which is
where I am lucky enough to have a job now. Otago University offers lots of
options for starting your studies in Marine Science. There are courses here in marine
biology, oceanography and fisheries science. If you want to learn more about
studying marine science at the University of Otago, take a look at the website:
www.otago.ac.nz/marinescience/
