Volume 16, No. 1 Volume 16, No. 1, 2006 (published Autumn 2008) EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR SCOPE AND AIMS Angela Colling John Wright Ocean Challenge aims to keep its readers up to date formerly Open University with what is happening in oceanography in the UK and the rest of Europe. By covering the whole range of marine-related sciences in an accessible style it should EDITORIAL BOARD be valuable both to specialist oceanographers who wish Chair to broaden their knowledge of marine sciences, and Finlo Cottier to informed lay persons who are concerned about the Scottish Association for Marine Science oceanic environment. Martin Angel Ocean Challenge is sent automatically to National Oceanography Centre, Southampton members of the Challenger Society. For more information about the Society, or for Kevin Black queries concerning individual subscriptions to Marine Science Consultant Ocean Challenge, please see the Challenger Society Sue Greig website (www.challenger-society.org.uk) or contact Open University the Executive Secretary of the Society (see inside back cover). Angela Hatton Scottish Association for Marine Science INDUSTRIAL CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP Claire Hughes For information about corporate membership, please University of East Anglia contact the Executive Secretary of the Society (see inside back cover). John Jones University College, London ADVERTISING For information about advertising, please contact the Mark Maslin Editor (see inside back cover). University College, London Ilse Hamann AVAILABILITY OF BACK ISSUES OF OCEAN CHALLENGE Hamburg, Germany For information about back issues, please contact the Editor (see inside back cover). INSTITUTIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Ocean Challenge is published three times a year. The subscription (including postage by surface mail) is £80.00 per year for libraries and other institutions. New subscriptions, renewals and information about changes of address should be sent to: Angela Hatton, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA The views expressed in Ocean Challenge are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Challenger Society or the Editor. DATA PROTECTION ACT, 1984 (UK) Under the terms of this Act, you are informed that this magazine is sent to you through the use of a computer-based mailing list. © Challenger Society for Marine Science, 2008 ISSN 0959-0161 Printed by Halstan Ideal, Amersham. The Magazine of the Challenger Society for Marine Science SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHALLENGER SOCIETY COUNCIL FOR THE CHALLENGER SOCIETY The Society’s objectives are: President Carol Robinson To advance the study of Marine Science through University of East Anglia research and education. Immediate Past President To disseminate knowledge of Marine Science with a view to encouraging a wider interest in the study of Peter Liss University of East Anglia the seas and an awareness of the need for their proper management. Honorary Secretary To contribute to public debate on the development of Rachael Shreeve Marine Science. Consultant marine ecologist Honorary Treasurer The Society aims to achieve these objectives through a Elaine McDonagh range of activities: National Oceanography Centre, Southampton Holding regular scientific meetings covering all aspects Gary Caldwell of Marine Science. Andrew Davies Supporting specialist groups to provide a forum for discussion. Jo Dixon Publication of a range of documents dealing with Simon Holgate aspects of Marine Science and the programme of Axel Miller meetings of the Society. Tim O’Hare Membership provides the following benefits: Alex Piotrowski An opportunity to attend, at reduced rates, the biennial Luke Skinner five-day UK Marine Science Conference and a range of Geraint Tarling other scientific meetings supported by the Society. An electronic newsletter (Challenger Wave) which Editor, Challenger Wave carries topical marine science news, and information Tim O’Hare about jobs, conferences, meetings, courses and Executive Secretary seminars. Jenny Jones (For address see below left) ADVICE TO AUTHORS The Challenger Society Website is Articles for Ocean Challenge can be on any aspect of www.challenger-society.org.uk oceanography. They should be written in an accessible style with a minimum of jargon and avoiding the use of references. If at all possible, they should be well illustrated. Copy may be sent electronically. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS The subscription for 2008 costs £40 (£20.00 for students For further information (including our ‘Information for in the UK only). If you would like to join the Society or Authors’) please contact the Editor: obtain further information, contact the Executive Secretary, Angela Colling, Aurora Lodge, The Level, Dittisham, Challenger Society for Marine Science, Room 251/20, Devon, TQ6 0ES, UK. National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus, Tel. +44-(0)1803-722513 Empress Dock, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK; Fax: +44(0)23-80-596149; Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] CONTENTS Messsage from the Editor Sherkin Island Marine Station – a jewel of the Emerald Isle Gary Caldwell Progress towards a UK marine science strategy: Report on discussion at the Going for Gold! Who will win the race to Challenger Conference for Marine exploit ores from the deep? Maria Baker and Science, September 2008 Christopher German News and Views Investigating the links between plankton and Pioneer of marine fisheries ecology, climate – The Atlantic Meridional Transect David Henry Cushing FRS (1920–2008) Programme 1995–2012 Carol Robinson Bob Dickson, John Shepherd, John Woods Marine science and tall ships – past, present and Keith Brander and future John Patching, Rachael Shreeve and Paul Rodhouse Modelling the marine biota: A tribute to Mike Fasham (1942–2008) Tom Anderson CONTENTS 2 Messsage from the Editor 2 Progress towards a UK marine science strategy: Report on discussion at the Challenger Conference for Marine Science, September 2008 3 News and Views 5 Pioneer of marine fisheries ecology, David Henry Cushing FRS (1920–2008) Bob Dickson, John Shepherd, John Woods and Keith Brander 6 Modelling the marine biota: A tribute to Mike Fasham (1942–2008) Tom Anderson 8 Sherkin Island Marine Station – a jewel of the Emerald Isle Gary Caldwell 10 Going for Gold! Who will win the race to exploit ores from the deep? Maria Baker and Christopher German 18 Investigating the links between plankton and climate – The Atlantic Meridional Transect Programme 1995–2012 Carol Robinson 25 Marine science and tall ships – past, present and future John Patching, Rachael Shreeve and Paul Rodhouse Most of the maps and diagrams were drawn by The ArtWorks. The cover was designed by Ann Aldred Associates. The photograph at top-right was taken by Phil Williamson, and won the President’s Photographic Prize ar the 2008 Challenger Society Conference in Bangor. Message from the Editor We begin this Ocean Challenge with a report of one of the workshops held at the UK Marine Science Conference in Bangor, because it relates directly to matters covered by Peter Liss in his ‘Message from the President’ at the start of the last issue. Reports of other conference events will be covered in Vol.16, No. 2. We are delighted that one of this issue’s feature articles comes from the newly elected President, Carol Robinson, while our Honorary Secretary, Rachael Shreeve, is one of the authors of the article on tall ships and science. The third feature article, on the problems associated with the mining of minerals from hydrothermal vent sites, is co- authored by a Challenger Fellow, and previous President, Christopher German. The issue also contains appreciations of David Cushing and Mike Fasham, who died earlier in 2008. Both were pioneers in their fields, and active members of the Challenger Society over many years. Progress towards a UK marine science strategy Report on discussion at the Challenger Conference for Marine Science, September 2008 Trevor Guymer and Peter Liss About 60 people attended the workshop • The geographical reach of the MSCC Other points covered included: ‘Why we need a Marine Science Strat- must extend beyond UK waters because • Monitoring had featured prominently egy’, which was chaired by Peter Liss UK marine science interests are global. in the Select Committee inquiry and and Trevor Guymer. The meeting began This breadth would need to be reflected the Secretary of State has promised that with a brief presentation by Trevor in the Strategy which should specifi- the MSCC would give this close atten- Guymer summarizing the history of UK cally identify links to the global change tion. Funding of sustained observations marine science coordination over the programmes being undertaken by the should be one of the key issues in the last 20 years – in particular the recent international community. Strategy. inquiry by the House of Commons Sci- • The MSCC is likely to include up to ence and Technology Committee. • The training afforded by marine three independent members appointed science should be seen as a way of As described by Peter Liss at the start via open competition and filling a non- bringing people into maths and natural of the last issue of Ocean Challenge, executive role. The wider UK marine sciences and of benefitting UK industry. the government has decided to set up a community should therefore ensure that Future policy needs should be borne in new body, the Marine Science Coordi- it is ready to suggest appropriate people. mind when developing the Strategy and nation Committee (MSCC), which will • A crucial test of the success of MSCC it would be useful to identify the skills report to ministers. One of its first tasks will be whether it is able to produce the required and the time-scales involved. will be to develop a UK marine science funding required to sustain long-term • As found by the Inter-Agency Com- strategy, and a commitment has been observations. mittee on Marine Science and Technol- made by the Secretary of State for Defra • Although the Strategy should have ogy, maintaining the engagement of key that this will be ready during the second clear links to policy, its scope has to be government departments over a long half of 2009.