Inuvik (July 17/06) - Amy Thompson is a marine biologist, a career kids often tell her is almost as cool as being an astronaut.

But while the biologist's image has been tied to sun-tanned adventurers in pop culture - think of French scuba master Jacques Cousteau or the TV series such as Danger Bay or Flipper - it's also meticulous work.

After all, not all marine biologists get to frolic with dolphins.

As environmental biologist for the Gwich'in Renewable Resource Board in Inuvik, Thompson helps monitor resources in the Gwich'in Settlement Area.

It's an important job, which ensures fish stocks aren't over exploited. While she has participated in some rather peculiar experiments over the years, including breeding oysters specifically to optimize their survival in Halifax, Thompson says her job has its adventurous moments.

On July 15, for instance, she will travel to Travaillant Lake to join co-worker Nathan Miller in a conservation study.

Workers will there implant tracking devices into several species, including the highly prized whitefish, so their movements can be tracked from the air.

"We're looking to get information about what fish are going in and out of there," she said. "We believe there is a population of whitefish which does not migrate to the ocean and we want to know more."

If fish populations are found to be lower than expected, which Thompson does not anticipate, the board would contact the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans and sound the alarm.

"We're a co-management board, we work with other organizations," she said, adding the group has a representative in every community in Gwich'in territory.

A Gwich'in beneficiary born in Inuvik, she left the North to study science at Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax.

Thompson said she is glad to have returned to the home where her skills are always in demand.

"This is a job I wanted to do, and it allowed me to reconnect with my family," she said.

In fact, the 24-year-old recently toured area high schools, to talk about sustainable harvesting and biology with the students.

"The feedback was amazing!" she said. "Almost every student found my presentation interesting ... half the students were thinking about a career in renewable resources."