0:00:02 > 0:00:03We push our rookies hard. They see the good...
0:00:03 > 0:00:06- How cool is this?- ..the bad...
0:00:06 > 0:00:09and the downright astonishing.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12We give them glamour,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16show them excitement, get their hands dirty,
0:00:16 > 0:00:17put them under pressure...
0:00:17 > 0:00:19No, no.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21..make them laugh...
0:00:21 > 0:00:24..all so they can experience their dream jobs.
0:00:25 > 0:00:30Today, two ocean-loving rookies make a splash into the wonderful world of
0:00:30 > 0:00:31marine biology.
0:00:31 > 0:00:32Let's go...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35UNDERWATER: ..All Over The Workplace!
0:00:54 > 0:00:57SCARY MUSIC
0:00:59 > 0:01:00Did you get the shot?
0:01:00 > 0:01:03You are supposed to be doing the length.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06All right. A career in marine biology isn't just about swimming
0:01:06 > 0:01:10with sharks, marvelling at marine life and fawning over fish.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14You also need a deep, deep love of the ocean.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18And lucky for us, our two rookies have got just that.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22Our first rookie is 11
0:01:22 > 0:01:24and so committed to the oceans
0:01:24 > 0:01:26that he gives all his pocket money
0:01:26 > 0:01:29to marine conservation charities.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Hi, I'm Struan, and I want to be
0:01:30 > 0:01:32a marine biologist.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33I think that marine biology is
0:01:33 > 0:01:35amazing because you get to get
0:01:35 > 0:01:36up close to all these
0:01:36 > 0:01:38wonderful animals of the ocean.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39To be a marine biologist, it's not
0:01:39 > 0:01:41all fun and games in the sea,
0:01:41 > 0:01:42you have to do a lot
0:01:42 > 0:01:43of studying in the lab.
0:01:43 > 0:01:44If I were to discover
0:01:44 > 0:01:46a new type of fish,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48I would probably call it
0:01:48 > 0:01:50- the Strufish. - HE CHUCKLES
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Our next rookie is also 11
0:01:52 > 0:01:55and is mad about turtles.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Hi, I'm Ella, and I want to be
0:01:57 > 0:01:59a marine biologist.
0:01:59 > 0:02:00I want to be a marine biologist
0:02:00 > 0:02:02because it contains my two favourite
0:02:02 > 0:02:04things in the world,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07swimming and also the sea,
0:02:07 > 0:02:09because it's really fascinating.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11I think it would be awesome to come
0:02:11 > 0:02:13face-to-face with a dolphin
0:02:13 > 0:02:14or a sea turtle, but I really
0:02:14 > 0:02:16don't want to come face-to-face
0:02:16 > 0:02:18with a great white shark.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22To find out if Struan and Ella have got their sea legs,
0:02:22 > 0:02:24we're whizzing them off to Plymouth
0:02:24 > 0:02:27to visit the university's Department of Marine Biology.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Hey there, you two. I bet you're in your element, aren't you?
0:02:31 > 0:02:34All that life teeming away under the water.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Now, Struan, apparently you want to be a marine biologist.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39What is it about marine biology that makes you so excited?
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I think you can get really up close to all the animals in the ocean,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44and I think it's one of the best jobs in the world.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45And what about you, Ella?
0:02:45 > 0:02:48What do you think about the creatures that live in the sea,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50what is it about them that excites you?
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Well, I think they are so cool because they can breathe underwater.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57OK, you both are obviously mad about marine biology.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00But let's hear what your parents think about your prospects.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03I think the hard bit for Struan in marine biology
0:03:03 > 0:03:05would be seeing anything suffering.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08In the sea, like a fish caught in a net or something like that,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11I think that would be possibly a little bit of a struggle.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14She loves the sea and all the sea animals.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17And I think whenever we go away on holiday,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19that's where she spends a lot of the time.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20But there is slight problem.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Sharks. Goodness knows what would happen if she actually did come up
0:03:23 > 0:03:25to a shark, or a shark came up to her.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29OK, Struan, so you might struggle if you see a fish caught in a net or
0:03:29 > 0:03:32something like that. How do you think you'd react?
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Well, I think if this stops and we can protect the world's oceans,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39and I think I should be able to cope because there's lots of other
0:03:39 > 0:03:41fascinating things about marine biology,
0:03:41 > 0:03:43as well as the other bad stuff.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47OK, now, Ella, you are a bit frightened of sharks.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Well, I find sharks OK,
0:03:49 > 0:03:53it's just a great white shark that I really don't like.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56I think it's because it's one of the biggest threats in the ocean
0:03:56 > 0:03:59and it can kill loads of animals.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02It's not its fault, but sometimes when you are swimming along,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04it will think you are a seal and...
0:04:06 > 0:04:08And it might eat you.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- Yes.- Well, you know,
0:04:10 > 0:04:15let's just hope we don't come across any sharks on this programme.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18SCARY MUSIC
0:04:18 > 0:04:19Anyway, enough chatting,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22let's get on with your first assignment, come on.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Marine biology is the science of the sea.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Every aspect of marine life is studied,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38from tiny, single-celled plankton to massive orcas,
0:04:38 > 0:04:43currents, undersea volcanoes, and everything affecting the sea.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Even animal communication is studied,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49and it was recently discovered that cod have regional accents.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51I wonder if they tell each other jokes.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54What do you call a fish in a shirt and tie?
0:04:54 > 0:04:55So-fish-ticated.
0:04:58 > 0:04:59OK, I've got a question for you.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01We are down here on the beach, we are having a lovely picnic,
0:05:01 > 0:05:05but what would happen if this plastic bag ended up blowing away
0:05:05 > 0:05:07and going in the sea?
0:05:07 > 0:05:10I think this could cause pollution in the ocean and is very
0:05:10 > 0:05:12harmful for the fish that live there.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Because they can get trapped inside it.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Or it might think it's food and start eating it,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18and that's not good for the fish.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21It's not just fish, it can travel all over the world.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24And turtles and other marine life can get stuck.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26But there's another problem as well.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Because once that goes in the ocean, it stays there for hundreds,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32maybe even thousands, of years.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35And it disintegrates into microscopic particles,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37which are so small,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41they can get into the bodies of any kind of marine life.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45So your first task is going to be to check how much plastic pollution
0:05:45 > 0:05:48there is in Plymouth Sound, so let's go.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Plymouth University's Marine Station is a purpose-built,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55supercool building which facilitates
0:05:55 > 0:05:58the practical side of marine biology.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02It has all the resources you need to study to be a successful marine
0:06:02 > 0:06:04biologist, as well as diving tuition
0:06:04 > 0:06:07and all sorts of other things to help study the oceans.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10Professor Richard Thompson of
0:06:10 > 0:06:12the School of Marine Science
0:06:12 > 0:06:14is a world-leading marine biologist
0:06:14 > 0:06:15based in Plymouth.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17He's studied the effect of plastic
0:06:17 > 0:06:19on marine life and the havoc it causes.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Richard, what are your three top tips
0:06:24 > 0:06:26for becoming a marine biologist?
0:06:26 > 0:06:28First of all, I think you need to think,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30why do I want to become a marine biologist?
0:06:30 > 0:06:32What is it that fascinates you?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Because marine biology is a very broad subject.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37The second thing I'd say is, go out and see if you can try it,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40see if there's a local group that do rock pool rambles or something like
0:06:40 > 0:06:44that. Do you like getting muddy and salty and looking for creatures
0:06:44 > 0:06:46in the sea? Does that actually work for you?
0:06:46 > 0:06:50And the third thing, of course, really for any study at university,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52is you're going to have to study hard,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54you're going to have to get good grades.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58But if you want to do it, that's what will make it easy.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Richard's top tips are...
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Work out what it is about the sea that fascinates you.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Join a local club and get muddy looking for sea creatures.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17Stick in at science, as it's at the heart of marine biology.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19How did you get into marine biology?
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Well, actually, the thing that most got me interested
0:07:22 > 0:07:23was starting to see creatures
0:07:23 > 0:07:26in the sea snorkelling around our coasts.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29And I became fascinated in it and I decided that was what I wanted to
0:07:29 > 0:07:31spend my life working on.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34So, Richard, can you give us a bit more information
0:07:34 > 0:07:35about our first task?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Yes. Can I give you an illustration?
0:07:37 > 0:07:40I've got here a plastic carrier bag
0:07:40 > 0:07:42that's broken down into lots of small pieces.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45After... 12 years I've had that.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47So in the sea and the environment,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50the breakdown into these millions of tiny pieces,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52and we know that sea life is eating these pieces.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54And one of the things we've been trying to do is
0:07:54 > 0:07:57understand what harm that might do them.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00So what I'm hoping is you will come out on one of our boats
0:08:00 > 0:08:02with us this morning and we are going to go out
0:08:02 > 0:08:03and put a net into the sea
0:08:03 > 0:08:05and we are going to see what we can catch.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07- Great.- Wow.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13The Falcon Spirit is a 14m catamaran used for teaching and research.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15This is amazing.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18It has wet lab spaces for doing experiments
0:08:18 > 0:08:21and areas to analyse their results.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Today, this'll be the vessel for Richard's plastic survey.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27It is essential that marine biologists go out
0:08:27 > 0:08:30on surveys like this to find out where the plastics are,
0:08:30 > 0:08:34in what quantities and to understand how harmful the plastics are to the
0:08:34 > 0:08:35marine environment.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Marine biologists are carrying out surveys like this in many countries
0:08:40 > 0:08:41around the world.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Ella and Struan are carefully noting the precise location of the start of
0:08:47 > 0:08:50the survey in case they wish to return at a later date
0:08:50 > 0:08:54to see how things are progressing.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56I want to show you the net we are going to put in the water.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00It's called a manta net because it's got these fins sticking out
0:09:00 > 0:09:01the side of it, like a manta ray.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04This opening here, hopefully, if we get it adjusted right,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07is going to be skimming just at the water's surface,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10which is where a lot of the plastic accumulates because it is buoyant.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12At least it's buoyant when it first enters the sea.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14And as it goes through,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17what's going to happen is this net at the back will be pulled out
0:09:17 > 0:09:20by the force of the water and it will stream out behind
0:09:20 > 0:09:22and it will collect the sample in it.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32The manta net is in place in the ocean,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34being towed by the Falcon Spirit.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Soon the rookies will see what the survey finds.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40It looks like it's working well.
0:09:40 > 0:09:41Yes, that's working just perfectly.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43You see it skimming the surface of the water?
0:09:43 > 0:09:45That's exactly where we want it to be.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51After 50 minutes in the water, the team haul the net back aboard.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Struan and Ella are getting stuck in helping Richard to retrieve the
0:09:57 > 0:09:58contents of the net.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Yes, that's it.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Job done, the rookies just need to note the position
0:10:02 > 0:10:05of where they finished the survey and head back to the lab.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16If you're thinking of getting involved in marine biology,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18the first thing I would say is, do it,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21because our oceans may be our biggest environment,
0:10:21 > 0:10:22and they are vast and huge,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24but that doesn't mean they are not vulnerable.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28They need protecting. And the first stage of that is just understanding
0:10:28 > 0:10:31them. So what I would say is, to get started,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33just go out and wander down the coast,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36go looking around along the strand line for animals and the things that
0:10:36 > 0:10:38the surge leaves behind.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Go rock pooling, snorkelling, perhaps even scuba-diving.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44And then one day, get on to studying marine biology.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47But really, we need you, so get on out there and do it.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49All the best from me, Stevie B.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52Back at the marine station,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55the rookies and Alex join Richard examining the samples
0:10:55 > 0:10:57from the Falcon Spirit,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00looking for plastic, not so fantastic.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04We've definitely got some pieces that don't look very natural.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08So, this certainly looks a bit unusual.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Any thoughts as to what that might have been originally, Ella?
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Maybe it could have been a strand of a bag.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Strand of a bag, perhaps a strand of a rope, maybe.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20This piece looks pretty suspicious to me
0:11:20 > 0:11:22as being a piece of polystyrene.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Its appearance could quite easily be confused for, let's say,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27a round fish egg. So it's easy to imagine
0:11:27 > 0:11:29how creatures can mistake some of this material
0:11:29 > 0:11:31for the food they'd normally be eating.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Have you ever seen any marine life
0:11:34 > 0:11:37that have got something stuck in their throat?
0:11:37 > 0:11:39We've looked at fish, for example, from the English Channel,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43near to Plymouth, and we've found plastic in about a third
0:11:43 > 0:11:45of all of the fish that we looked at.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48So quite a substantial number of individuals out in the
0:11:48 > 0:11:51ocean are ingesting plastic.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54So how long do you think the plastic that we found has been decomposing
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- for?- The polymer chemists, the plastic chemists, if you like,
0:11:57 > 0:12:01that I work with, they tell me that all of the plastic we've ever made
0:12:01 > 0:12:03is still with us on the planet
0:12:03 > 0:12:06in a form that is too big to be biodegraded.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08So we know it's very, very long-lived,
0:12:08 > 0:12:10but exactly how long-lived,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12we are still speculating.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14It's going to be hundreds, perhaps thousands,
0:12:14 > 0:12:16maybe even longer, of years.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19I think this assignment went really well,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22and it was really interesting about all the sea creatures.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26And how they can eat all the fragments of plastic.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31My favourite part of the assignment was getting to put the manta net in
0:12:31 > 0:12:33the water, I thought that was a great experience.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37And it was just amazing to see all the tiny particles that we caught in
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- the net.- So, Ella, I was really impressed with you.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43I think you are definitely a marine biologist in the making.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46One of the things I was keen to look for was your ability
0:12:46 > 0:12:50to make accurate notes. You even put down the start time for the trawl,
0:12:50 > 0:12:51and the finish time, which is excellent.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54And so, Struan, I certainly think you've got the potential to be
0:12:54 > 0:12:57a great marine biologist, if that's the way you want to go.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00You were really, really good looking through the samples.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Well, that was a brilliant start, wasn't it?
0:13:02 > 0:13:05But you guys have done quite a bit of dive training, haven't you?
0:13:05 > 0:13:09And don't you think it's time we got into the water?
0:13:09 > 0:13:10It doesn't look very inviting, does it?
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- No, not really.- Wouldn't you rather go somewhere a bit warmer?
0:13:13 > 0:13:18- Yes.- Well, that's lucky, because we are going to be going to the Med.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19Oh!
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Ella and Struan have both been working hard
0:13:23 > 0:13:25to get their scuba-diving qualification,
0:13:25 > 0:13:26but they don't know what for.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Well, they are about to find out as we whisk them off to the island of
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Malta in the Mediterranean.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35Professor Alan Deidun
0:13:35 > 0:13:38is from the University of Malta,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41a dedicated and tireless champion of the sea.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43As well as his conservation work,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45he spends much of his leisure time
0:13:45 > 0:13:47in the sea, diving and kayaking.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49So, Alan, you've just literally got out of the sea,
0:13:49 > 0:13:51you've been down there looking at marine life.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Can you give us your three top tips for becoming a marine biologist?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57I would say number one, you need to be perseverant,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01because sometimes the right opportunities might be hard to get.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04The second point, you really need to be a good observer.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06And thirdly, there are some phenomenons,
0:14:06 > 0:14:10some processes which we don't completely understand.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Why are some species booming whilst other species are disappearing?
0:14:14 > 0:14:16So you need to think outside the box.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Alan's top tips are...
0:14:21 > 0:14:26Sometimes opportunities in marine biology are hard to come by.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Why are some species booming and others not?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37What's your favourite species in this area?
0:14:37 > 0:14:42If I had to pick a fish, I would say it's one of the wrasse species,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44because they are very, very colourful.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47But if I had to pick a non-fish, it would have to be a jellyfish
0:14:47 > 0:14:50since they are living proof that you can survive without having any
0:14:50 > 0:14:53brains. They've been around for 600, 700 million years.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55So what assignment have you got in store for our rookies?
0:14:55 > 0:14:57We will go underwater, as I promised,
0:14:57 > 0:15:02we will have a list of the 12 most common species of fish
0:15:02 > 0:15:03in our waters.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06And you will have pictures of these guys with you,
0:15:06 > 0:15:07and you will take notes.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10So, yes, even underwater, we can have a classroom.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Let's get cracking.- Sure, let's go.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16So, guys, this is what we are looking at.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20These are the 12 fish species which we have for you,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24and you're going to help us in our underwater survey.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Alan is showing the rookies the 12 species of fish they will be looking
0:15:27 > 0:15:29for in the survey,
0:15:29 > 0:15:33from the colourful parrotfish to the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35The rookies need to do a bit of studying, then,
0:15:35 > 0:15:37basically and then they'll be ready to go?
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- Yes.- All right, get studying.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44The survey the rookies will be doing is carried out between two and four
0:15:44 > 0:15:47times a year. The sea, like all living systems,
0:15:47 > 0:15:50is in a state of constant change.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54It's important to monitor these changes and analyse the results.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56This isn't a leisure dive for the rookies,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59it has a really important scientific purpose.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02It's splash time for Struan and Ella
0:16:02 > 0:16:05as they take a step into the unknown.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10That's the diving sign for OK from Alan.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Alex seems to be at home underwater.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18It's a painted comber.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21This little guy was on the list from earlier.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Oh, look, a bearded fire worm.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31Hi, Ella!
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Looks like there are plenty of species for the rookies to identify.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41The rookies are swimming through an amazing underwater passage.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42Exciting.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Absolutely amazing. What a great experience, that was awesome.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52It's brilliant. Because there was so much coral down there.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53It was so cool.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57I think I saw a parrotfish, a Mediterranean parrotfish.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00And it is so colourful, it was absolutely amazing.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02I actually missed some of the stuff myself,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06and they were pointing me to it, so I think, overall,
0:17:06 > 0:17:07I think they did very well.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14Hi, guys, the Blowfish here,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17the world's only heavy metal marine biologist.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20And these are my three top tips on how to become
0:17:20 > 0:17:22an amazing marine biologist.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Tip number one...
0:17:25 > 0:17:26Why not try to learn to dive,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29or even just get used to using a snorkel?
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Tip number two...
0:17:32 > 0:17:35It doesn't have to be just fish, it can be any kind of animal,
0:17:35 > 0:17:37but it will give you great confidence
0:17:37 > 0:17:40when you get into the industry proper.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41Tip number three...
0:17:42 > 0:17:43We may not live in Rome,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46but we do use Latin to describe all the species
0:17:46 > 0:17:48you'll find in the world's oceans.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51So, guys, we are back on dry land.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54So I suggest, before we start forgetting,
0:17:54 > 0:17:58we go through quickly the species of fish that we've seen.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01I think I saw quite a few of these ones.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06- The salema.- I think we saw a few of the Mediterranean parrotfish.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08For sure. They are pretty colourful,
0:18:08 > 0:18:10you cannot mistake them for anything else.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13I think we saw some of the sea bream as well.
0:18:13 > 0:18:14Exactly, exactly.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18And I think we saw some of the peacock wrasse.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19Exactly, as well, yes.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22I think wrasses were pretty common as well.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Out of 12 species, we've practically seen all of these guys.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28So why did we do this survey?
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Fish, like all other marine organisms,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34are very sensitive to changes.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37So there is a lot of changes going on and a lot of pressures
0:18:37 > 0:18:40to which our seas are being subjected.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42So you've got things like climate change,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45which is not only affecting our land, but also our sea.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Our seas are warming up.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49So we monitor fish over a long time
0:18:49 > 0:18:52to see if there's any changes in the fish communities
0:18:52 > 0:18:53as a result of human change.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57My favourite part of the assignment was probably getting so close to all
0:18:57 > 0:19:00the fish in the ocean. I think it was great to see all the different
0:19:00 > 0:19:03species and get to learn about them as well.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07My favourite part was probably going through the tunnel.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Because there were loads of fish and it was like going through a sunken
0:19:10 > 0:19:15- ship.- Struan, you are a good diver, you are a sharp observer as well.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Ella, obviously you need to work a bit on the diving skills,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23but you managed to spot most of the species we had on the card today.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26We are at the Maltese International Aquarium.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29OK, we've got one final assignment.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Now, just remind me, Ella,
0:19:31 > 0:19:35what are the animals you said you definitely didn't want to see?
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- Sharks.- Sharks, that's right, yes.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40OK, well, this assignment...
0:19:41 > 0:19:42..is all about sharks.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- Oh.- Yeah, but don't worry,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I'm pretty sure it's going to change the way you feel about sharks
0:19:48 > 0:19:51altogether. Because we are going to be giving some of them the chance of
0:19:51 > 0:19:55life after death.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Greg Nowell is the co-founder
0:19:57 > 0:19:59of Shark Lab Malta.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Shark Lab was founded to establish
0:20:01 > 0:20:03which shark species are in need of
0:20:03 > 0:20:04protection and management,
0:20:04 > 0:20:06to ensure their long-term survival.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13Here in this tank, we have two different species of sharks.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Now, the species of sharks are actually developed inside eggs.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20And we as an organisation go to the fish market
0:20:20 > 0:20:22in the early hours of the morning
0:20:22 > 0:20:25and recover the eggs from landed female sharks which are dead.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28We take out the eggs, we place them into an aquarium.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30And after six months of feeding and growing,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32we release them back into the sea.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37So the first part of your task is to help us identify which female sharks
0:20:37 > 0:20:39have eggs and how we go about finding them.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Then you're going to help us open up the sharks and take out some eggs.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46But not only that, there's something else.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48We are going to collect two sharks which have gone through that whole
0:20:48 > 0:20:50cycle here at the aquarium,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53and we are going to release them into the sea.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- Wow.- Wow.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00Now the rookies are at a crucial part of the operation.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03They are about to help Greg remove some living eggs from some sharks
0:21:03 > 0:21:05that were caught in fishing nets.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07So here we are in the laboratory.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Greg explains to Struan and Ella how to look for the eggs.
0:21:13 > 0:21:19You try this one. And see if you can feel anything hard inside.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20Something there.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22There's something there. And what about on the other side?
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- Something about there.- There's something about there as well?
0:21:26 > 0:21:27There's something there.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Something there. So, what we need
0:21:29 > 0:21:31is a little preparation.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Greg gently and skilfully cuts the shark open to reveal
0:21:35 > 0:21:37what they are looking for.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39And here we have...
0:21:39 > 0:21:40a shark egg case.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42So that is a dead shark,
0:21:42 > 0:21:45and within that casing could be
0:21:45 > 0:21:48a living embryo that could turn into a living shark?
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Exactly, exactly.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52We can see inside
0:21:52 > 0:21:57a really nice, perfectly formed egg sitting inside its protective case.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01So will this increase the shark population by doing this process?
0:22:01 > 0:22:02We hope so. We hope so.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05If not, at least try and keep it stable.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07So let's help you a little bit,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09cos you need to make sure your fingers stay away from the knife.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12So if you hold on to the side here,
0:22:12 > 0:22:13and then you want to cut.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15They're quite tough, so you need to cut, cut.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Like a little saw. That's perfect. And stop.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22And you're going to put the knife underneath here.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25And very gently cut through.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30Perfect, you have just removed the egg case from a shark.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31Excellent.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Next up, it's Struan's turn to remove a shark egg case.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Backwards. Perfect.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43How is that? How does that feel to pull a living egg case out of a dead
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- fish?- It's really amazing, yes.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50Now, Ella, like a lot of people, is frightened of sharks.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51Should we be frightened of them?
0:22:51 > 0:22:55Not really, no. There are over 500 different species of sharks.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58The species of sharks we are dealing with here are actually only small
0:22:58 > 0:23:01species. They are completely harmless to people.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Although there are some species which are potentially dangerous
0:23:04 > 0:23:06to people, if you start to learn more about them,
0:23:06 > 0:23:07start to understand them,
0:23:07 > 0:23:11than actually the fear starts to subside and more of a fascination
0:23:11 > 0:23:15tends to appear. Place your hand right underneath the net.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17You can reach down. Hand underneath.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20The rookies gently scoop a couple of sharks into boxes,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22ready for their release.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24OK, so lift it up, lift it up.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27It looks like Ella's fear of sharks may be a thing of the past.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29And into we go.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Do we have two sharks in the box?
0:23:31 > 0:23:32- Yes.- We have two sharks in the box.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44Marine biology walks hand-in-hand with marine conservation.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48We humans are one of the biggest problems for marine environments.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53Overfishing, pollution and climate change wreak havoc across the seas.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Everyone can make a difference by making small changes,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58like using less plastic.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Use cloth bags instead of poly, use reusable bottles,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05and eat sustainable fish to protect valuable stocks.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07The less that goes into the sea that doesn't belong there,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09the happier the dolphins.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15This is St Pauls Bay near the Maltese National Aquarium.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Two lucky sharks are about to be released into the ocean.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Greg and his colleagues have the sharks safely in boxes,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28and Struan and Ella are snorkelling on the surface to get a grandstand
0:24:28 > 0:24:30view of the release.
0:24:31 > 0:24:32And there they go,
0:24:32 > 0:24:37two young sharks are about to make their way in the big wide ocean.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Two sharks in the sea.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Yes! Woohoo!
0:24:46 > 0:24:49The sharks seemed pleased to be on their way.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52In a year, the sharks that will hatch from Struan and Ella's eggs
0:24:52 > 0:24:53will be released like this, too.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58The best part was probably actually
0:24:58 > 0:25:00going out and seeing all the sharks
0:25:00 > 0:25:01go to freedom.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04I think this assignment was the best out of all of them
0:25:04 > 0:25:06because we got to help endangered sharks,
0:25:06 > 0:25:10and I think it was incredible to get so close to the sharks in the ocean,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12and all the other fish as well. It was great.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16I think sharks aren't that scary.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18I love sharks now.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20So, Struan, you've done a fantastic job.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22You recovered the eggs really well,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25you managed to identify the shark which had eggs.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Ella, you did some fantastic questioning,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30really asking some really detailed things.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33You even managed to take out eggs from a shark,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35which hopefully in a year's time we will be able to release
0:25:35 > 0:25:37back into the sea around Malta.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39You've done a fantastic job, really well done.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45Our rookies have had a marvellous marine adventure -
0:25:45 > 0:25:50collecting seawater samples, diving in the Med, and saving sharks.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54But have they got what it takes to make it as marine biologists?
0:26:01 > 0:26:04So, Ella, I was really impressed with you throughout the day,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06you asked some really, really good questions.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10I certainly think you've got the potential to be a marine biologist.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14Ella, I was very much impressed by your enthusiasm.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18So I am very confident you've got everything it takes
0:26:18 > 0:26:21to be a very good marine biologist one day.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Ella, you really challenged me with some detailed questions.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26You obviously have what it takes to start investigating things.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29I think you are really going to make a great marine biologist.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Struan, you showed a real amount of enthusiasm during the day,
0:26:32 > 0:26:33particularly on the boat.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35And you asked some fantastic questions as well,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38so follow your dreams and make it happen.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Struan, I was impressed by your in-depth knowledge
0:26:41 > 0:26:43about marine biology.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46It shows that you've read and prepared yourself before the dive.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50So, again, I believe that you've got everything in place to be an
0:26:50 > 0:26:52excellent marine biologist one day.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53Struan, you had a fantastic time,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56you asked some really fantastic questions.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58I really think you can make it as a marine biologist.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Now, you realise now that marine biology isn't all about riding
0:27:01 > 0:27:04on the backs of dolphins and playing with turtles.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07It's not all about exotic locations like this one.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12It's hard work. So, Ella, do you still want to be a marine biologist?
0:27:12 > 0:27:14I definitely still want to be a marine biologist.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16- Are you sure?- Yes.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18- Struan, what about you?- Yes, I do.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Now that I've learned more information,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22it's made me want to aspire to do even more.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Well, you know what, that's really good to hear.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26But now the bad news.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Unfortunately, we've got no way of getting back to the UK.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31So it's lucky that we've got our wet suits on,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34because we are going to have to swim!
0:27:34 > 0:27:35It's only about 1,500 miles.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Come on, last one in the water is a monkey shark.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Come on! SCARY MUSIC
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Alex, watch out. - HE SCREAMS