Marine biologist Barbie launched at uShaka

Barbie has always been an ambitious woman - and at 64 years-old, she has more than 200 careers on her curriculum vitae.

Now she is a marine biologist and Barbie South Africa launched the new marine biologist doll at the uShaka Marine World in Durban recently.

Her new job is aimed at encouraging young girls to pursue careers in marine biology and real life marine biologist, Devona Chetty, who is doing her Master of Science in marine biology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI), was tasked with giving a talk to the young girls who attended the launch last week.

Ms Chetty, 22, from Durban, has been an ORI scientist at uShaka Marine World for two years. She said the field of marine biology was traditionally dominated by men, but that has changed in the recent years.

“I am part of the change and have noticed a lot more women in the profession - it makes me proud. This is an essential change for the sake of ocean health and the conservation of marine resources,” said Ms Chetty.

“Marine biology has opened so many doors for me at such a young age. It was purely my passion for the ocean and the diversity of life within it that made me study marine biology. Everything I learned about the ocean and the animals that call the ocean home has been incredibly captivating.”

Ms Chetty said Barbie South Africa collaborated with uShaka Marine World to launch the addition of Marine Biology Barbie on July 6. It was a fun-filled, educational afternoon and Ms Chetty gave an inspiring presentation. Her presentation included some background knowledge on marine biology, how she got to where she is now and what she has been up to recently. After the presentation the moms and daughters went on a tour of the aquarium and turtle hospital.

“Barbie is a great inspiration to little girls, and her new career as a marine biologist genuinely makes me happy and proud to know there is a marine biologist Barbie.

“To have your career recognised to such an extent and be a role model for the future generation is an indescribable feeling,” Ms Chetty said.

“The young girls I interacted with at the launch were delightfully spontaneous and enthusiastic with their questions and curiosity. As a little girl, I was a huge Barbie fan. Sadly, I don’t remember owning a Barbie doll. But I can remember watching and singing along to Barbie movies that my parents bought for me. I even had an entire Barbie themed birthday party one year.”

Ms Chetty’s project at the ORI is to undertake research on a bait fishery at Durban Harbour. It involves a specific bait species, known as a sand prawn (commonly called “cracker shrimp”). Her job is to find out just how much the fishermen are impacting on its population.

Ms Chetty said she enjoys the practical component of my work the most - being out in the field, sampling specimens and doing lab work.

“Some days I’m out in the field, others I spend behind a computer. The life of a marine biologist is never monotonous. Ultimately, it makes me happy knowing that I am doing my share for the protection of the ocean,” said Ms Chetty.

“I have worked with all sorts of animals in the aquarium but by far, turtles will forever remain my favourite marine animal. They are just the most majestic and interesting ocean creatures.”

Ms Chetty encouraged young girls to go into the field of marine biology – because they will help save the planet and be “ocean heroes”.

“As marine biologist you get to learn about something that covers 70% of our planet. You can spend days underwater, interacting with all sorts of animals like turtles, dolphins and sharks. We spread the word on how to protect the ocean and get to have the rarest experiences and adventures of our lives. Most importantly we get to discover things that were previously unknown,” said Ms Chetty.

uShaka Marine World communications manager, Ann Kunz, said they were excited to partner with the Barbie team in shaping young minds.

“I chatted to some of the moms as we walked about the aquarium after the presentation. They enjoyed their afternoon and learning about what it entails to be a marine biologist,” said Ms Kunz.

The highly anticipated Barbie movie starring Margo Robbie in the lead role and Ryan Gosling as Ken, opens at South African cinemas on Friday July 21.