Marine studies stays local

KAREN Reid thinks she’s lucky to be able to do a marine studies course without having to leave the Clarence Valley.

Karen said cruising around estuaries on a catamaran, searching rock pools and making sand sculptures at the beach sounded more like a holiday in a tropical paradise than study.

“But it’s all part of our studies in the wide ‘outdoor classroom’ that we have on our doorstep here in the Clarence Valley,” she said.

“While the majority of our studies is done from home, the workshops and excursions are really hands-on.

“We can be examining water quality and fish breeding at Searle Aquaculture fish farm one day, and the next we are observing and cataloguing aquatic flora and fauna on an eco tour of the Clarence River on a catamaran.

“TAFE has given us the experience to appreciate the amazing diversity of marine life and incorporate this in study and work practices.”

Karen said North Coast TAFE’s Natfish course included a wide variety of activities for students, allowing them to have fun while gaining diverse skills and knowledge.

The course also prepared them for a range of occupations related to the coastal marine environment.

Head teacher Lisa Terry said the mix of marine science, tourism and deckhand skills had prepared her students for jobs in associated industries.

“Some have gained work on dive boats on the Great Barrier Reef, with tour operators, environmental monitoring labs and in aquariums,” she said.

“Others have used the course as a springboard to further marine science studies at universities around Australia.

“We have now started our next intake in marine studies, so if anyone is interested in, or has a passion for, our marine environment, they should give us a call to find out more about the opportunities that follow from the course.”

Shortlink:

Posted by on August 1, 2011. Filed under All news, Career, Latest news. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.