Readers at The Reef Tank were interested to learn more about marine science, so I was happy for the opportunity to chat with Ava earlier this week. As I explained during our conversation, aquariums need not be detrimental to biodiversity when managed responsibly. I suspect most people enjoy the hobby because they are also fascinated by and appreciative of the marine realm... a sentiment we ought to encourage if we plan to save oceans. An excerpt of our interview:
How did you get started in marine biology and why did you pick it as your study of choice? Was it about marine biology that got you hooked?
I expect most of us are born naturally curious about the world. I've yet to meet a 6-year-old who isn't captivated by whales, dinosaurs, or space exploration. Science provides us the opportunity to ask questions and to figure out how things came to be the way they are. And how could I not be hooked on marine biology? Horseshoe crabs older than dinosaurs? A terrain more elusive than the moon? Deep sea vents? There's nothing cooler on earth!
Read the full interview here.
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For me, one of the defining moments was when as a child I held a piece of meteorite in my hands that was older then the solar system. The feeling was indescribable (I have to say I was also interested when I once saw a baboon couple making love, but that's a different story)
As grad student in Marine Sciences and avid fish keeper, I have to agree on all aspects. I started out with a childish fascination and developed it while attending college. Also, as long as fish are kept by responsible owners that do all the proper research to care for them, while at the same time don't support destructive capture or breeding techniques, fish keeping is a great recreational and educational activity.