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How to become a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) - Marine Protected Observer (PSO)

Writer's picture: Virginie WyssVirginie Wyss

Marine Mammal Observer is a niche profession that requires experience in the water and specific certificates.


I think being a biologist is a plus, but not necessarily a requirement.

I know technicians and sailors who have become marine mammal observers.


For me, the most important thing is passion. Don't do this job for the money, places are expensive and in the end there are few chosen ones.


Looking for marine mammals through binoculars on a research vessel
Looking for marine mammals through binoculars on a research vessel

What does it take to become a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) / Protected species Observer (PSO)?


Here are 12 things that are in my opinion important to know:


- Experience (it is said that 3 years are necessary, but it depends on the contract and you have to start somewhere). -I am also talking about my carrier.

- JNCC /BOEM training (depending on the region where you work, other training is also required (Gulf of Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, Mediterranean, etc.).

- BOSIET (Basic Emergency Safety Training)

- STCW or OGUK Medical Certificate

- English (as training and life on board are often conducted in English)

- A budget to invest before the first contract

- MMO equipment

- Be independent

- Be flexible (see article on the MMO profession)

and 3 more important things to consider described at the end of this article



Experience


In my opinion, before throwing yourself heart and soul into this profession, you need to have tested the marine biologist's life and worked in research. Because training costs money, and without experience it's very unlikely that you'll be taken on for your first contract, unless the company isn't serious, in which case you can also get ripped off (and not paid, for example).


To gain experience, you can ideally work for local associations that go out to sea to survey marine mammals. I think being a guide on whale watching companies is also a good way to get a feel for the different marine species and to learn how to take photos.


Working as a guide in Whale watching (here in Madeira) Photo: Virginie Wyss
Working as a guide in Whale watching (here in Madeira) Photo: Virginie Wyss

Some associations, such as the Swiss Cetacean Society or Cybelle planète in Méditerannean Sea, offer weeks of eco-volunteering to learn the trade of marine biologist. It's already a taste of the job, but in my opinion not enough to be taken on as an MMO.


We often idealize looking at the sea and seeing whales and dolphins, but this involves a lot of waiting time, long days and a lot of data-taking and post-mission work to analyze the data, photos, etc. It's a fascinating job, but it's not enough to be an MMO.


This fascinating job isn't for everyone, and sometimes you don't see a thing all day, but that's part of the job too.


Pictures of an Humpback whale back taken in Greenland (Virginie Wyss)
Pictures of an Humpback whale back taken in Greenland (Virginie Wyss)

Also, if you can't tell a humpback whale from a fin whale, it's a good idea to go to destinations where you can come across many species, such as the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Pelagos sanctuary in the Mediterranean, the St. Lawrence in Quebec in summer, South Africa, Reunion Island, etc.


An example of my career:


As far as I'm concerned, I did a master's degree in parasitology and ethology in Switzerland (so nothing to do with marine biology) and I trained myself in the field. In 2012, I organized a year's internship with doctoral students via MARMAM, a free marine biology newsletter in English with lots of internship offers that I urge you to join!

I went to Madeira, Hawaii, Australia & Iceland for the first year, then returned to Australia for 1.5 years before returning to Switzerland disappointed because I hadn't managed to get a visa in Australia and therefore could not have a job.


During this first year of training, I financed myself for 1 year. I paid for my accommodation, flights & food, and sometimes worked 12 to 14 days in a row, doing between 7 and 14 hours a day. Most of the proposals on MARMAM are paid for by us, but some projects come with accommodation and sometimes even food.


These experiences were very intense and gave me an idea (a rather negative one, I must admit) about thesis (which last 5 years instead of 3 and required a huge personal investment). Some of these PHD students were even unhappy to see dolphins, as they had so much data to analyze.


On the other hand, I had some incredible moments on the water and I loved watching the sea and the magnificent species that lived there. I'd heard about the marine mammal watching profession in Australia, and that you could work for the industry and earn a good living.


That's why, in 2014, 2 years later, I took the steps to become a marine mammal observer. I did my JNCC/BOEM certificate in Scotland and I did my Bosiet and Medical certificate in Singapore. I applied to several companies in 2015, but it wasn't until 2017 that I was contacted to become an MMO.


After that, I started working fairly regularly in French Guiana, Africa, the Black Sea, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, Mayotte and the English Channel, but each time I had to work on the side to supplement my income. I mainly worked for a French company. This job is still quite unstable, which is why I recommend having a back-up and ideally another job, until you get the hang of it.


JNCC/BOEM training for Europe and Gulf of Mexico

I strongly recommend JNCC training, as it is recognized almost everywhere. This course is given in English and will explain how to mitigate work when you're at sea.

I did it in Scotland with Carolyn Barton, who was the only one to give it at the time. Nowadays, with Covid, you can even take the course online.

There are two courses MMO (for UK and Europe) and PSO specific to the Gulf of Mexico


Here are two companies I recommend, but there are plenty on the market.


Seiche ; Carolyn Barton


The advantage with Seiche, for example, is that they own an MMO agency and can place you after the course. They also do very good acoustic courses on Pamguard and if you go to Dorset you may be able to combine the 2 courses.

I will soon do an Accobams training (MMO & PAM) to be able to be recognised in the Mediterannean sea.


The Bosiet (nowadays they are also asking for GWO specific to windfarm)

This certificate is for work on the high seas and includes HUET helicopter crash training and Ca EBS. The training lasts 3-4 days and it is important that it is OPITO recognized (this certification is valid almost everywhere).


I'll do a more detailed article on what the BOSIET is and how to prepare for it.


OGUK Medical Certificate


This medical certificate is often requested and is carried out in special places.

You'll be tested for hearing and eyesight, and sometimes for drugs via urine and reflexes. Depending on the company, STCW tests are also recognized, but to work in the North Sea, for example, you'll need the OGUK.


Speaking English


Yes, if you want to be a marine mammal observer, you'd better know how to speak English. Firstly, to do the certificates and courses... but also to be able to communicate on board. The only company I know that is 100% French is Ifremer, and for everything else, the staff on board generally speak English. If you're German, I think there must be companies for German research, and the same goes for Spaniards and Italians, but on the whole, English is the universal language on board.


Having 2000 euros aside before your first contract

as JNCC courses cost an average of 260 pounds (excluding accommodation and flights if you're going locally), the Bosiet costs 1,200 euros (and this certificate has to be repeated every 4 years), the medical certificate between 100 and 300 euros (to be repeated every 2 years for the STCW, 700 to 800 euros for the OGUK) and you'll need good binoculars, a reflex camera and a computer.

These certificates are usually paid for by big companies like Total, Shell, EDF, Vatenfall etc. for their employees.


Unfortunately, as an independent observer, we have to pay for them, which represents a considerable investment. Of course, once you're on board, you're well paid (from 100 euros to 300 euros for an experienced MMO), but you have to make this investment beforehand, without knowing whether you'll be taken on or not.


One technique might be to do your JNCC and internships beforehand, and register for the BOSIET just before doing your first contract. But the first contract can be done at the last minute (1 week before), so it's something to think about.


You will also receive your salary at least one month after you send your bill, so be aware of that as well.


MMO equipment


Depending on the company, equipment is provided, but the problem is that it often doesn't arrive on time, so you need to equip yourself with :


- binoculars (and it's best to invest 200 to 500 euros in good ones)


- a computer (with excel)


- a camera with a large zoom lens.


You'll also need safety shoes on almost all missions, even if you'll often be staying on deck.


We're also sometimes asked for a seaman's passport, which costs between 300 and 700 euros.

Always useful as well is a harddrive and a USB stick as well as a ruban meter to calculate your height and make a range stick.


Being self-employed


At the start of my career, I was hired by a company as an employee, earning very little (between 80 and 120 euros) per day and costing my French employer a lot of money, who had every interest in hiring other people. That's why I recommend switching to freelance status as soon as possible, because agencies often don't take on employees but want freelancers (so they don't have to pay payroll taxes).


And being self-employed means having your own professional insurance, so that's also something to think about before your first contract. Maif in France agreed to insure me, but it wasn't so easy to find an insurance company willing to do it.


Being flexible


I've lost count of the number of times I've known the departure date 4 days in advance, signed my contract on the day of departure or even after the mission, received the protocol the same day, etc. What's very important, especially when you're just starting out, is not to accept just anything, but to remain flexible. Often on board, the mission doesn't go according to plan, but that's normal, it's part of the game.


To get off to a good start, here a 3 more things you need to be careful with:


To get started, I'd really recommend working with someone with experience, if only to learn the rules of the vessel and the Ba ba (like we say in french :-). Don't accept an assignment where you'll be on your own, especially if you've never done an onboard assignment before. It'll be a lot of stress, and I don't think the work will be as high quality.


A normal seismic mission, for example, includes an MMO lead and 2 MMOs, and often there are 2 PAM operators as well. It's a great way to learn from colleagues how to do the job properly.


You can also ask for references on the people you'll be working with, get in touch with them before the start of the trip and see what the reviews are on the company that employs you.


Also, the company must pay you door-to-door for flights and hotels. Don't agree to advance money, especially if you don't know the company. I have friends who have lost money taking on assignments like this and have never been paid or even reimbursed.


Avoid seasickness and the fear of losing sight of land:


View of the sea from a vessel (Virginie Wyss)
View of the sea from a vessel (Virginie Wyss)

We can all be prone to seasickness, but some people are very sensitive, and clearly this job requires a great deal of presence from sunrise to sunset.


It's okay to take seasickness pills at the beginning, but for 6 weeks it can be very, very long, and the boat won't take you back to port.


I remember that on my first long mission I was worried that I wouldn't be able to see land anymore, but very soon I loved the feeling of infinity. After that, I think it depends on each person, and if you're seasick in very calm seas, I'd say it's a bit of a compromise to do this job.


Live in Community:

One last thing that you might not think about, but which may bother some people, is that, on board, you often share a cabin and a shower. So you have to be willing to live in close quarters. It's also possible to have your own cabin, but this is rarer and depends on the project.

Pictures of a shared cabin during offshore work (Virginie Wyss)
Pictures of a shared cabin during offshore work (Virginie Wyss)

I hope this information has been useful to you, so don't hesitate if you have any questions or if I forgot to talk about something.


Ps: we're already a small group of marine mammal observer friends, so if you have any experience at sea, please don't hesitate to send me your CV, so we can call on you if we have a big assignment, but we are still not a proper agency.


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