The Maine Department of Marine Resources hosted a “Careers in Marine Science Day” on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Maine State Aquarium and laboratory in West Boothbay Harbor. High school students and chaperones from twelve Maine schools attended the event. Elaine Jones, education director for the DMR's education division, organized the day, which started about 15 years ago to satisfy requests for job shadowing. And the scientists get to shine as well. “One day a year, they showcase the research and monitoring work they do for the state's commercial and recreational fisheries,” Jones said.

Participating schools included Edward Little, Greely, Hall-Dale, Leavitt, Lewiston, Lincoln Academy, Lisbon, Messalonskee, Morse, Oak Hill, Waterville and Yarmouth. A series of 15-minute seminars featured topics on aquaculture, water quality, bio-toxins, and marine patrol, and demonstrated the particulars of sea creatures, including whales, sharks, horseshoe crabs, shrimp, urchins, scallops and lobsters. Three seminars featured life in the Wet Lab, all things urchin, and the ancient horseshoe crab.

“I'm interested in working with whales someday,” said Essie Martin, a student from Lincoln Academy in Newcastle. Martin was fascinated by the sharks swimming circles in a large tank in the Wet Lab. Students followed DMR educator Beth Langton around the water and air hoses that keep the marine animals alive. The lab also houses lobsters in every shade, from albino to bright blue.

During the urchin seminar, students found out urchins are related to starfish. Marine scientist Maggie Hunter told them, “Urchin harvesting comprises a five million dollar industry in Maine. Most are shipped to Asia, where they're a delicacy.” A freshly broken-open urchin revealed orange roe, or eggs. She invited students to sample it, and Lincoln Academy's Joey Cleaves, who wants to study seals and sea lions in college, took her up on it. “It tastes like clams in butter,” he announced, prompting others to give it a try.

Next, students moved on to marine biologist Pete Thayer, who flipped a live horseshoe crab over to point out the functions of its appendages. “Although they are listed under the same phylum as crabs,” Thayer said, “they are more closely related to spiders and scorpions.” At one time in Maine, horseshoe crabs, which are over 480,000,000 years old, were captured and sold to fishermen as bait for eels, until regulations were adopted and enforced; these days, they thrive in places like Great Salt Bay in Damariscotta and Thomas Point Beach in Brunswick, he said.

Jones summed up the day by saying, “Career Day allows students to witness the scientists' passion for their work. We hope it sparked a fire and fueled a desire to pursue a career as a marine scientist, or as a marine patrol officer. “