Tag: Marine biology
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How to Become a Marine Biologist
Listen to the audioblog (1346 words) When I tell people I am a marine biologist a common response is “I wanted to do that when I was younger!” Among possible careers it is both high on the list of desirability but low on success rate. Why is that? In my experience many people love the…
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Managing Nemo: Conservation and Conflict in the Hawaii Marine Aquarium Trade
In early 2012 I traveled with Washington State University Science Journalist extraordinaire Eric Sorensen to Hawaii so he could write an article on my research on the Hawaii aquarium trade, which has been ongoing since the mid-1990s. At the time of the article things were heating up between aquarium collectors and Snorkel Bob’s crusade to shut…
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Following the Dream: finding that “Rudy” Moment
My parents taught me that nothing worthwhile in life comes easy; that it was important to chase your dreams, think big, and make a difference in the world. Yet the concept of achieving one’s dreams is tied up in so many metaphors these days how do you know when you have actually done it?
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Coming Home
Born on the Navy circuit, moving every 2 years. Home was an elusive concept at best. As life would have it we occasionally doubled back and that place was San Diego. Living there in the’ 60s and ’70s was a magical experience. Simple, clean, fun, and just right for starting my love affair with the ocean.…
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Curious Creatures of the California Coast: Corals
I remember my first dive clearly, gradually sinking to the bottom in three hundred feet of water. As the bottom approached, the water cleared and in the dim light I could make out white objects covering the seafloor. Suddenly, we landed and the submersible’s pilot turned on the outside lights. Wow! We were surrounded by…
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Curious Creatures of the California Coast: Crinoids
Animal? plant? aliens? Chances are you have never met a crinoid, although they are one of the most common invertebrate creatures along the California coast below 75 ft depths. Meet Florometra serratissima, the common crinoid or feather star of the Pacific coast. They average around 8-10 inches in height but are as light as a…
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50 Years from Today
Mike Wallace of 60 minutes fame complied a book entitled “The Way We Will Be 50 Years from Today: 60 Of The World’s Greatest Minds Share Their Visions of the Next Half-Century.” He asked me to write an essay on my vision for the future but it did not make the final cut. For whatever…
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Here’s the Deal: Why I Blog
Ok, why read my blog? I’ve been thinking about starting one for quite some time and decided that I would like a public space to share my work, my passions and experiences. Although my life has not been extraordinary, and I’m not famous, I have had an interesting life and the opportunity to do some…
