Training to Work with Marine Mammals

The field is vast… incredibly vast! Likewise, the areas of specialization are many: ecotoxicology, environment, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, and oceanography, just to name a few.

Different paths

For the next stage of your academic journey, ask yourself: What exactly do I want to do? If working in the field appeals to you, but you don’t necessarily want to perform statistical analyses or manage teams and projects, a college (Cégep) diploma or a bachelor’s degree might suffice.

If you would rather lead a team, specialize in a specific area, solve biological riddles, analyze and interpret data, and share your acquired knowledge in written scientific publications, then graduate studies would be more your path!

If you find yourself torn between the two—i.e. wanting to specialize but reluctant to commit yourself to a master’s program—know that there are also specialized graduate diplomas (DESS). If you’re drawn to a specific field and you feel you’re still lacking certain skills after earning your bachelor’s, but a master’s is too much of a commitment for you, there might be a DESS at a university somewhere with your name on it! Depending on the path you choose, your acquired skills could be used to create, plan, or implement research projects and scientific studies. Projects focus more on methodology and data collection, unlike studies, which also encompass the production of results.

These various academic paths will provide you with the tools you need to study marine mammals and better understand them, whether it’s for estimating their abundance or researching their habitat use, their culture, their vocal repertoire, or the threats they face, including climate change, entanglement, collisions, contamination, noise pollution, etc.

Master’s projects, which last a minimum of two years, and PhD projects, which require no fewer than four years, are often advertised as job offers. You will therefore need to apply and later go through an interview process. Another option is to write directly to specialists in your field of interest and share your research ideas with them. Master’s and PhD programs often depend on grants, unlike bachelor’s degrees, which are more accessible. Also, in most cases, you’ll need to earn a master’s before you can tackle a doctorate. In other words, you have to enjoy school!

Diving a little deeper:

Government of Canada. Careers in scientific research.

Choose the best courses to study marine mammals.

Eco Canada. Marine biologist.

National Institute of Scientific Research. My research project: Sophia Ferchiou’s PhD in Marine Biology (in French).

Do you love observing marine mammals? Do you want to make a difference in their protection? Have you ever considered becoming a marine mammal observer?

Description:

As an MMO, you will be the eyes and ears of offshore construction site teams to assess the presence and behaviour of marine wildlife. In Quebec, the Marine Mammal Observation Network (MMON) offers MMO-PAM training that is specifically tailored to Canadian waters. Combining theory and practice, this course teaches marine mammal identification and biology. While it offers an important foundation in this field, the course is not mandatory. Job duties are straightforward: monitoring the presence of target species within a defined area, informing the contractor of mitigation measures to be followed, and documenting work progress and the presence of certain cetaceans during monitoring. When you spend entire days in the field, you must be prepared to face all types of weather conditions.

Diving a little deeper:

The Marine Mammal Observer (OMM-PAM) profession

French-language training programs in Quebec (in French)

To help protect marine mammals, is public awareness raising more appealing to you? If so, then a career in education or communication would definitely be a good fit.

Education project manager: Interested in creating and spearheading projects that raise awareness and educate people about marine mammals? Your collaboration and communication skills will bring visibility to your organization and better support its mission.

Description:

You will become a professional in science outreach and communication. You will design educational activities such as presentations, workshops, and even exhibitions, in addition to contributing to the creation of educational materials that are tailored to the target audience. You will collaborate with scientists, associations, museums, aquariums, and even nature parks. This position is at the crossroads of science, education, and environmental commitment. Therefore, it is important to have a solid background in biology as well as strong communication skills. You will ensure that your projects run smoothly, supervise your team, adhere to deadlines, and apply for grants.

This position is highly multidisciplinary and there is no single path to success. That said, here are a few suggestions. Ideally, you should have a solid foundation in animal biology, ecology, or literature. You can specialize with a master’s degree in biology, management, or even pursue a program in science communication! A professional master’s degree is preferable, as it’s better suited for education and outreach.

Science communicator or writer: Are you a curious person who likes to stay up to date with the latest developments? Do you enjoy writing, and are you fluent in French with a good written command of English? Have you ever considered a career in science communication? You’ll use the art of storytelling to educate, raise awareness, and encourage the public to take action. You’ll write articles and manage social media for organizations working with marine mammals.

Description:

Whether it is with the government or a conservation organization, you can play a vital role in making the world of cetaceans more accessible to the general public. Your tasks will include writing articles, managing social media, organizing educational events, and conducting interviews with specialists. You will educate and engage the public by sharing information about whales and their environment. Your role will be to share knowledge while promoting the protection of these species and their habitats. You will help re-imagine a world where humans coexist with cetaceans with curiosity, respect, and compassion.

For this sphere, a strong understanding of complex scientific concepts and the ability to synthesize them are essential.

• Bachelor’s in Science, Environment, Biology >

→ Develop your writing skills

• Microprogram in Communication and Journalism

→ Some examples: UQAM; ULaval (both sites in French)

• Master’s in Public Communication and/or Journalism

Interpretive guide or naturalist: Are you passionate about marine mammals and love sharing what you know? Are you outgoing and comfortable speaking in front of crowds? Then you’ve got what it takes to be a naturalist! You’ll draw on your scientific knowledge to educate the public about marine mammals and conservation, inspiring new ambassadors for our oceans and our whales!

Description:

Whether in a museum, at shore-based observation sites, or out at sea, you’ll become the bridge between the mysterious world of cetaceans and a curious public. With your knack for explaining scientific concepts in simple jargon, you’ll raise awareness about whales and their environment. You’ll help protect these giants of the sea, one conversation at a time!

A strong background in science and marine mammals is a plus. Having completed post-secondary studies is also a big advantage, as it shows that you are able to learn quickly. Also valued is experience in tourism, public outreach, or interpretation (even in a different field), as well as customer service. This job requires an excellent command of French and English, especially spoken.

College degree:

• Attestation of College Studies (ACS) “Adventure Guide”: Skill-building in the safe supervision, planning, and leading of outdoor activities.
• Diploma of College Studies (DCS)
  • DCS in “Tourism Technology”: A specialization in developing tourism products is a plus.
  • DCS in “Natural Environment Technology”: Useful for natural heritage management and interpretation.

Bachelor’s degree: Biology, Environmental Science, or Ecology

Useful training: First aid and CPR courses, Emergency Response Training at Sea (ERTS) course (FUM-A2 Certificate) if you work on the water.

Full of mysteries waiting to be cracked, the world of cetaceans fascinates many. If this is the case for you, there is a wide range of jobs to work with whales outside the fields of biology and natural sciences. You could become a catalyst for change, both for their protection and for our understanding of these giants of the seas. To inspire you, below is a non-exhaustive selection of other careers that could lead to work with marine mammals:

• Chemist: Analyzes water quality and the impact of pollutants on marine life.
• Computer engineer: Creates applications and supports the technological infrastructure that allows research to advance. Artificial intelligence is also a rapidly growing field that offers seemingly endless job opportunities. Take a look at organizations such as Whale Seeker, Merinov or Sensea Canada in Quebec. With advances in artificial intelligence, even a graduate in computer engineering can work with marine mammals, for example by designing software for remote sensing or photo-identification.
• Robotics engineer: Designs and builds machines to support marine mammal research.
• Graphic designer / web developer: Creates content or websites that support marine conservation.
• Engineer: Develops and maintains equipment for marine mammal research.
• Photographer or filmmaker/videographer: Captures photos and videos of marine life for documentaries and magazines.
• Legal expert: Advocates for marine mammals and their environment at the legislative level. In Canada, the captivity of marine mammals in aquariums has been banned.
• Philanthropy: Participates in managing fundraising events, setting up major funding campaigns, and cultivating relationships with donors to ensure the financial health of organizations that endeavour to study and protect marine mammals.
• Writer: Authors books for all types of audiences to raise awareness about marine mammal protection!
• Construction worker: Builds and maintains research facilities or even enclosures for aquariums or sanctuaries.

Recommended reading:

Whale Scientists. How to become a whale scientist

Advice from the Ocean: Unexpected Paths into Marine Conservation