Eco Observation get many employment requests from new marine biology graduates who are interested in becoming qualified MMOs. Unfortunately we are a rather small fish in a big pond and our consultants generally work through larger agencies. We are however keen to offer advice so have put together a quick guide on how to get started.

First off it goes without saying that to be a good MMO you have to be passionate about conservation and ecology. It’s not all hours spent watching bow-riding dolphins, and the reality is often that you will spend days or even weeks without seeing a thing. In cases like this it is important to stay motivated, so a keen interest in marine mammals is essential. It is highly worthwhile gaining some experience by volunteering with one of the many conservation bodies such as ORCA Conservation or the WDCS. Charities such as these have traditionally been the backbone of cetacean research in the UK. 

To work as a professional MMO you will need qualifications and the first step should be to take a JNCC endorsed MMO course. This will teach you the fundamentals of MMOing and will introduce you to some of the people you will undoubtedly meet in the field. Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) courses are  becoming more available so you may wish to consider this also.

Next you need to book a UKOOA medical examination and a BOSIET offshore safety course. The BOSIET is by far the most expensive thing on the list and there is much discussion when starting out as to whether you should wait until you have a job offer before shelling out for your survival course. Generally speaking however, most MMO agencies will take you much more seriously if they see that you have taken the initiative and gained all of your qualifications before contacting them.

Although the initial outlay may seem costly; the appropriate courses will last for several years and are worthwhile investments.

Now get in touch with the agencies... The big hitters in this area are listed on the links page.

Good luck and see you in the field!