The scope of Marine Biology

I feel privileged to edit 'Marine Biology & Oceanography', since there is so much to be written about and so many talented writers contributing articles.  I will just cite one writer from each of my sub-topics, and link to one of their recently featured articles to show you the flavour of the writing here.

• 'Marine Biology' is lucky enough to have a few articles by John Pohl who held a: "fisheries biology and oceanography position with the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Juneau, Alaska."  He: "worked on a variety of projects, ranging from genetic studies of salmon and rockfish, to high seas ecology work aimed at assessing the effects of climate variation on ecosystems in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering, and Chukchi Seas."  John's article about one way to become a working marine biologist talks about some of the skills and personal qualities needed to survive life on a research vessel.

• In 'Marine Habitats' Sarah Curran-Ragan wrote about kelp.  Sarah is: "a Marine Biologist with 20 years experience who has worked in the UK, The Philippines, Tanzania, Indonesia and Australia. She is now a full time science and nature journalist specialising in marine issues".

• Louise Jones  says that she is concerned:  "about producing a great piece of writing that I (can) be proud of", and her article about plastic pollution in 'Marine Conservation'  shows this.

• John Blatchford (that's me!)  "tries to bring important issues and interesting findings to the attention of the general public.", and my article about about sea slugs in 'Marine Life' also looks at ways in which non-specialist can get involved in scientific research.

• In 'Oceanography' Ronn Hanley has pointed out the cost of marine dead zones in the ocean.  Ronn writes on many subjects but:  "keeps returning to the Ocean and its impact on all of our lives".

If you are reading this and haven't written anything about the oceans yet, do it now – dip your feet in and get your toes wet!