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The Magazine of the Marine Biological Community Focus on Asia Issue 5. October 2015 ISSN 2052-5273 The Marine The magazine of the Biologistmarine biological community Focus on Asia The Marine Biological Association of India The Unorthodox Whales of Sri Lanka Hope after the Japanese tsunami Plus Is marine management an oxymoron? The origin of nervous systems NE BIO RI LO A G M I C E Dreaming of a digital ocean A H L T A S N S O O C I AT I Est. 1884 Incorporated by Royal Charter 2013 A new species of jellyfish | Little-known giants of the plankton Guide to zooplankton | Young Marine Biologists Editorial Issue 5. October 2015 Welcome to The Marine Biologist systems, we dream of a digital ocean Contents magazine. We always strive to include and discover resources such as a new interesting and illuminating material plankton guide and an app to help from all over the world and in this ‘Asia tourists enjoy unfamiliar fish. Science edition’ we hear from marine biologists and politics is rarely a harmonious mix, in India, Sri Lanka and Japan – see particularly when it comes to marine 02 Editorial Editorial Office below. protected areas. The practical and moral Marine biologists are a diverse case for the creation of large marine 04 In brief Editor Guy Baker community, but does our focus on one reserves in tropical shallow marine [email protected] realm mean we are more likely even habitats is made (p. 16), and we look Science letters +44 (0)1752 633244 than other scientists to stay in our salty at a new book which questions the 06 The Unorthodox Whales of Sri Lanka Asha de Vos ‘silo’? As Murray Roberts says on page efficacy of marine reserves as a fisheries Executive editor Matt Frost 39, describing the new Lyell Centre, management tool (Reviews, p. 36). 09 A new species of jellyfish Jun Nikishawa [email protected] “we cannot do our best work as marine MBA members hail from many +44 (0)1752 633334 10 The origin of nervous systems Pawel Burkhardt biologists in isolation”. Clearly, we need countries (currently 44), including Editorial Board Guy Baker, to maximize opportunities for collabo- India. I am delighted to hand this Environment and conservation Kelvin Boot, Matt Frost, Paul ration at the boundaries of disciplines editorial over to the Secretary of the Rose, Mike Thorndyke. 13 A blueprint for sustainable fisheries Tom Pickerell – a theme for a future edition, perhaps. the Marine Biological Association of Membership Alex Street Also in this edition: Pawel Burkhardt India (MBAI), Dr. K. Sunil Mohamed. 14 After the tsunami – a story of hope in Japan Bonnie Waycott [email protected] explores the origin of nervous 16 ‘Marine management’ – making an oxymoron +44 (0)1752 633253 more meaningful Charles Sheppard www.mba.ac.uk/membership 19 Indian seas – a megadiversity hotspot N.R. Menon and Correspondence N.G.K. Pillai of The Marine Biological Association of India 06 The Marine Biological Association With 3 million Indians directly and indirectly dependent on marine fisheries, knowledge of marine biology of the seas around India is of the utmost importance. India accounts for less Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK Sharing marine science than 0.25 per cent of the world’s total coastline; however, 171 million people live in India’s The Marine Biologist is published by coastal districts (approximately 5 per cent of the world’s coastal population and 14 per cent 21 Dreaming of a digital ocean Emmanuel G. Reynaud, Eric Röttinger, the Marine Biological Association, Aldine R. Amiel, Noan Le Bescot, Luis Gutierrez-Heredia and Peter Flood. Registered Charity No. 1155893 of India’s total population). Therefore, it is not surprising that these coastal zones are ISSN number: 2052-5273 witnessing increasing economic activity resulting in loss or degradation of critical marine 24 A comprehensive guide to the marine zooplankton of habitats, overfishing and pollution, and the associated impacts on ecosystem services. On Submissions southern Britain Kelvin Boot talks to Dave Conway top of this, the coasts are adversely impacted by floods, cyclones and severe storms. We welcome submissions of original According to recent estimates by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, sea 26 A new app for unfamiliar seafood Margarida Hermida and relevant material, letters and 14 responses to published articles. For levels in India are expected to rise at the rate of 2.4 mm a year, and by 2050, the total 27 New guidance for offshore renewable energy installations guidance, please see the magazine increase may displace thousands of coastal people. This combination of natural and human Shaun Nicholson, Greg Tomlinson and Ross Hodson website at forces and the uncertainties involved in their origins and impacts presents a major challenge www.mba.ac.uk/marinebiologist to coastal people of India. 28 Plymouth – a hub of activity for the study of marine life or contact the Editor. John Spicer Disclaimer: Views expressed In this scenario, the challenges in managing such complex ecosystems are enormous and in The Marine Biologist are there appear to be no ready answers. Looking to the future, the strength that India has in 31 Young Marine Biologist: a new and popular way to join the those of the authors and do not marine biology and allied sciences will stand her in good stead to minimize these impacts. MBA! Jack Sewell necessarily represent those of the Another asset that India has is the high biodiversity in her seas (see p. 19) which is already 31 Things I wish I’d known as an undergraduate Amy Wright Marine Biological Association. being targeted by researchers for novel drugs and chemicals. The high diversity in fished Copyright statement. Anyone wishing taxa and the inherently high regenerative capacity of tropical fish stocks may also be helping 32 Little-known giants of the plankton Sinazo Mophlo and to reproduce material published in in sustaining India’s largely uncontrolled fisheries. Cross-learning from other developed and Mark J. Gibbons 19 The Marine Biologist must contact developing nations with similar situations and problems must be a way forward. the Marine Biological Association. 34 Science advances for shark conservation David Sims With advice from marine biologists, the Government of India has brought into force a 35 Reviews NE BIO number of laws for the conservation of marine species and habitats. Indian marine scientists RI LO A G M I continue to bring evidence from the latest research to formulate new policies to help mitigate C 38 An interview with Murray Roberts E A H L human impacts and allow damaged ecosystems to recover. T A S N Dr. K. Sunil Mohamed, Secretary of the Marine Biological Association of India S O O C I ATI Est. 1884 Incorporated by Front cover: A flock of flesh-footed shearwaterArdenna ( carneipes) feeding on oil sardine in Royal Charter 2013 the southeast Arabian Sea. Image: R. Jeyabaskaran. Image credits: Top: Asha de Vos. Back cover: Making a comeback? The spiny lobster ( ), needle rock, Lundy, Middle: Sanriku Volunteer Divers. www.mba.ac.uk Palinurus elephas southwest England. Image: Keith Hiscock. Bottom: Sunil Mohamed. 02 The Marine Biologist | October 2015 October 2015 | The Marine Biologist 03 In brief In brief extent of the medical, economic, social, political and environmental importance of the sea and how our behaviour can have an impact on marine ecosystems. Over the next 3 years the consortium will develop a number of resources (animations, factsheets and e-books), deliver events, develop a robust network of marine educators through the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA), examine marine governance and collaborate with transatlantic partners. Sea Change will work using both Salomon Atoll in the Chagos Archipelago, Professor Steve Hawkins being presented bottom-up and top-down approaches with the collection of limpet shells from all British Indian Ocean Territory. Image: Anne to engage with citizens and policy Sheppard. over the world by conference organiser Dr makers ensuring that efforts to sustain Louise Firth. an ocean literate society in Europe will WWF’s Living Blue Planet Report extend beyond the life of the project. According to the WWF’s Living (2nd prize, Imperial College London). You can follow the progress of Sea Planet Report, the human population The common sawfish,Pristis pristis. Image: David Morgan. Joint 3rd prize for was awarded to Ben Change online: www.seachange- is collectively mismanaging nature’s Harvey (Aberystwyth University) and project.eu, @seachange_eu and the resources. In September 2015, WWF Big, bizarre and seldom seen Carla Lourenco (Rhodes University). Sea Change facebook page. released a special marine edition of the 6th August 2015. It promises improved canal in 1956, and prior to completion The MBA’s past Director, Steve Fiona Crouch Living Planet Report which shows we Sawfishes are perhaps one of the economic prospects for the country of this latest phase of development, Hawkins, was front-stage for much of the are not treating our oceans any better. most bizarre and fascinating of all marine but the ecological effects, in particular fluctuating salinity had limited introduc- meeting which also marked his contribu- Marine science in the UK’s ‘Top 20 Using the Living Planet Index (LPI), animals. They can reach up to 7 metres in invasive species, may be less desirable. tions. Deepening of the canal is likely to tion to science and his declared retirement which is based on trends in 5,829 length, making them amongst the largest Recognising this momentous occasion, open the door to deep-water species. through the presentation
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