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What Are the Different Types of Ocean Conservation Jobs?

Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

The variety of ocean conservation jobs is vast, as nearly any job wherein a person works to protect and preserve the Earth's oceans may be considered an ocean conservation job. Researchers, such as marine biologists, make up a large percentage of those workers and may be employed by government agencies, nonprofit environmental organizations, or even corporations. There are also ocean conservation jobs that are based on educating people about the issues surrounding the health of the ocean. These types of jobs may even include practicing as an environmental lawyer or lobbyist.

Scientists, researchers, and biologists comprise a significant segment of the ocean conservation jobs. Sometimes, these researchers conduct field studies, spending months at a time on the open waters of the oceans. During those times, a scientist might survey marine animals and fish, recording valuable information, such as the number of births and deaths and details on migration. These researchers then typically write reports, indicating their findings. Depending on the specific project, a scientist may study a broad spectrum of ocean-related issues, or she may focus on a particular matter, such as an endangered marine species.

Some in the field of ocean conservation work as lobbyists in an effort to influence legislation.
Some in the field of ocean conservation work as lobbyists in an effort to influence legislation.

Corporations also hire scientists and researchers for ocean conservation jobs. For example, a shipping company might hire a marine engineer to study the energy efficiency of a fleet of ships. These engineers may be responsible for preventing the leakage of oil, fuel, or other waste into the ocean. They might also study and inform the company of the most environmentally sound shipping routes.

Ocean researchers study the best ways to keep the ocean healthy.
Ocean researchers study the best ways to keep the ocean healthy.

A large number of ocean conservation jobs are based on educating people. These jobs can be found at universities, government agencies, aquariums, zoos, and nonprofit organizations. While many of these ocean conservation jobs may be based in classroom settings, teaching students about the health of the ocean and how to protect it, other jobs may be based in office settings. For example, a person might be responsible for creating a newsletter, updating a website or blog, or even issuing a press release on behalf of a particular organization, company, or agency.

Some ocean conservation jobs include practicing as an environmental lawyer or lobbyist.
Some ocean conservation jobs include practicing as an environmental lawyer or lobbyist.

Lobbyists and lawyers are also needed in the field of ocean conservation. These types of ocean conservation jobs may be among the most difficult to find. Often, these individuals will be employed by nonprofit organizations. They will typically fight through congressional forums or through the courts to make permanent changes to the rules and regulations governing the protection of the oceans.

Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to WiseGEEK.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

browncoat

@MrsPramm - Yeah, much as I hate to admit it, it's the people who don't work with the ocean at all who are probably the most important conservationists. The ones who lobby politicians and try to educate the public are the ones who get the most done. I always thought conservation work would mean getting to play with baby seals all the time or something, but a lot of it is just talking and writing.

MrsPramm

@Ana1234 - There are still a lot of places in the world that can be preserved and I think that is one of the things that conservationists concentrate on at the moment. But I don't think that even big tasks like the plastics in the ocean are impossible. We develop new technology every day that brings us closer to being able to solve that kind of problem.

Which is why I think conservation is so very important. We need people who are going to ensure that we don't lose any more species while we are trying to clean up our act.

Research and education are two of the most important things we can do at the moment.

Ana1234

What always breaks my heart is when I hear about the amount of plastic junk that is in the ocean at the moment. If you look up pictures of the great Pacific garbage patch, you won't believe how filthy we've made this beautiful planet.

I sometimes wonder if there's any point in ocean conservation when we're up against something like that. A lot of that plastic is so small now there's no way we'd ever be able to clean it all up but it can still be dangerous to wildlife, even when it is too tiny for us to see. It just seems like we've gotten ourselves into an impossible situation.

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    • Some in the field of ocean conservation work as lobbyists in an effort to influence legislation.
      By: Andrey Burmakin
      Some in the field of ocean conservation work as lobbyists in an effort to influence legislation.
    • Ocean researchers study the best ways to keep the ocean healthy.
      By: masa
      Ocean researchers study the best ways to keep the ocean healthy.
    • Some ocean conservation jobs include practicing as an environmental lawyer or lobbyist.
      By: qingwa
      Some ocean conservation jobs include practicing as an environmental lawyer or lobbyist.
    • A large number of ocean conservation jobs are based on educating people.
      By: Sukrita
      A large number of ocean conservation jobs are based on educating people.