Michael Parrish

Tell us about your work/research. What kinds of things do you do?

Within the Ministry of Marine Resources, my role has many focuses. One of my main activities is conducting biodiversity surveys and marine resource assessments for each of the islands of the Cook Islands. I primarily specialize in the identification of nearshore reef fishes, but also assist with invertebrate surveys and coral health monitoring. After our science team collects and analyzes the data, we report back to the island communities on potential management methods that could be implemented to promote healthy resource populations.

What sparked your initial interest in your career?

I grew up landlocked in the middle of the United States with only occasional vacations that took me towards the ocean. Every trip, however, felt unreal in how much fun I had with my family on the beach. On top of that, every year, a week-long series of shows called "Shark Week" further piqued my interest in the subject of marine biology. Once I graduated from High School, I had a wonderful opportunity to study marine biology and get my bachelor's degree in Hawaii. From there, I was absolutely hooked on my career path and the many options it could entail.

Who influenced you or encouraged you the most?

My family was my biggest influencers, pushing me to follow whatever path I decided in life. My father had also wanted to be a marine biologist when he was young, but ended up on a different path in technology. As such, he encouraged and helped me achieve that dream. My oldest sister also helped solidify my path by introducing me to SCUBA diving and getting certified with me. Once I made it to university, my biggest supporter became my wife, a local Cook Islander with a similar and strong passion for the environment.

What element of your work/study do you think is the most fascinating?

The most fascinating part of my work is getting to SCUBA dive around remote islands in the South Pacific. With less than 2% of the world population ever getting to experience SCUBA diving, I get to have the incredible opportunity to travel to other islands in the Cook Islands on a yearly basis to conduct surveys and see parts of the reef up close that most people in the world may never experience.

How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?

I got involved with Ocean Exploration Trust through my role working with the Ministry of Marine Resources in the Cook Islands. With part of their expedition taking them through the Cook Islands waters, I was very fortunate in getting the opportunity to join the expedition team for a section of their research.

What other jobs led you to your current career?

Before working at the Ministry of Marine Resources, I provided cleaning and maintenance services for home and business aquariums on Oahu. I have also held positions working as a manager in charge of animal welfare at Petco in Hawaii, an intern for the marine mammal stranding program based on the Marine Corps Base in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and as an IT consultant for Parrish Consulting Services, anytime I am at home with my family. Throughout all of these positions, I have learned the importance of a balanced work experience and how the skills learned in each job complement future positions.

What are your degrees and certifications?

Bachelor of Science in Marine Science - Hawaii Pacific University 2017
PADI Divemaster with additional tech diving certifications in Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures

What are your hobbies?

During any free time I have, I love to be outdoors. A lot of my hobbies involve the water, including freediving, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, and paddleboarding, but I also enjoy hiking or relaxing with a good book!

What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?

The best advice I could give for anyone interested in marine biology would be to also take the time to learn technology as well. So much of my work involves learning new programs and how they can be useful to our current work program, that having a general understanding of software already can help with picking up new programs pretty quickly. While getting in the water and collecting data is typically the most fun portion of the job, a large portion will be sitting at a computer to analyze the data and write up a report. The better the knowledge of computers and programs, the sooner you can get back in the water!