Issue 2 Spring 2014 ISSN 2052-5273 The Royal Charter edition The magazine of the Biologistmarine biological community Exploring and valuing planet Earth’s blue heart with Sylvia Earle South Atlantic | Exploring mesophotic reefs | Marine conservation in Wales Editorial tion is key to better understanding and protecting the natural resources of a Contents Issue 2 Spring 2014 A warm welcome to The Marine vast but relatively poorly understood Biologist. We are presenting the second area of ocean. We also hear contrast- issue as the Royal Charter edition in ing views from highly experienced 02 Editorial celebration of a real achievement for people in industry and conservation 04 In brief the Marine Biological Association. On on how we should go about protect- page 6 the MBA’s Deputy Director ing marine resources. I hope this will A Royal Charter for the Marine Biological Association Editorial Office Matt Frost expands on what the Royal stimulate correspondence and debate 06 Onwards and upwards for marine Biology by Matt Frost Editor Guy Baker Charter means for the Association, which can be continued between for MBA members, and for how we editions of the magazine (see below). 08 Big, blue and beautiful by Sylvia Earle and Dan Laffoley [email protected] aspire to promote the discipline of Returning to the theme of marine Why exploring and valuing planet Earth’s blue heart is the key to +44 (0)1752 633244 marine biology. We hope that this laboratories, and skipping across the future wealth, health and happiness Executive editor Matt Frost special issue answers questions you may Atlantic, we hear from the world- 12 “The wheel comes full circle” marine laboratories 06 [email protected] have about the Charter and stimulates renowned Marine Biological Laboratory past, present and future by Mike Thorndyke and Fiona McGowan +44 (0)1752 633334 discussion about the future of our at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and A fascinating look at how the role of marine Editorial Board Guy Baker, Association at this exciting time. how a new partnership will build on laboratories has changed through time. Kelvin Boot, Matt Frost, Paul I am delighted to present the some extraordinary achievements and Rose, Mike Thorndyke. keystone article for this edition by open up new ventures for the future. Science letters Membership Alex Street MBA Honorary Fellow Sylvia Earle References, links and more can be 16 Power from the sea: stepping stones for [email protected] (see page 8), arguably the world’s found on The Marine Biologistwebsite. non-native species? by Chris Nall +44 (0)1752 633337 leading ocean advocate, in which the Also online our new members-only New pathways for the introduction and spread of non-native species. www.mba.ac.uk/membership case for exploration, sharing knowledge LinkedIn page offers access to the latest 18 Refugia in the ‘twilight zone’ by Sonia J. Rowley Correspondence and improving the public perception news stories and information chosen Advanced scuba rebreathers facilitate discoveries in the Philippines The Marine Biological Association of “planet Earth’s blue heart” is pas- by the MBA as being relevant to the 20 Mapping the treasures of the deep by Laurence De Clippele, Veerle Huvenne Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK sionately and eloquently made. We see marine biological community. See how technology is being used not just page 5 for more information. I hope and Murray Roberts The Marine Biologist is published by Joining forces to map cold-water coral habitats. the Marine Biological Association, for physical exploration of the sea but you enjoy the new reviews section—I 08 Registered Charity No. 1155893 to reach a global audience and deepen would like to see reviews provided by Environment and conservation ISSN number: 2052-5273 our understanding of ocean issues. you, the members, so please contact From equator to ice; environmental science in Submissions Our second article takes us on a me if you would like to submit a 22 the south Atlantic by Deborah Davidson and Paul Brickle We welcome submissions of original lively examination of the origin of review of a book, special publication, and relevant material, letters and marine laboratories, and a very timely film, website, DVD or TV series. A new research institute oversees marine biodiversity and environmental management. responses to published articles. For glimpse into their role in the future. The original brief for the magazine guidance, please see the magazine Has marine conservation in Wales lost its way? by Blaise Bullimore website at The importance of habitats at depth was for an authoritative, credible 26 as refugia and repositories of biodiver- publication representative across the Despite the success of the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve marine www.mba.ac.uk/marinebiologist 18 or contact the Editor. sity is increasingly recognized and we field of marine biology, consistent with conservation in Wales is struggling. Disclaimer: Views expressed venture—thanks to advanced scuba the MBA’s ethos of inclusivity and 29 His world is oysters by Clive Askew in The Marine Biologist are technology—into the mesophotic reefs accessibility. How are we doing so far? Reflections on a career in commercial bivalve aquaculture those of the authors and do not of the Philippines. Closer to home but Does The Marine Biologist meet your necessarily represent those of the 32 A traditional fishery enters a new era by Guy Baker deeper still researchers from Heriot- expectations Marine Biological Association. We look at an artisanal fishery for native oysters in south west England. Copyright statement. Anyone wishing Watt University and the National of a member’s to reproduce material published in Oceanography Centre present a project magazine? 33 A new chapter in a remarkable history by Pamela Clapp Hinkle The Marine Biologist must contact to map deep sea coral reefs which draws Please write The Marine Biological Laboratory celebrates 125 years and the Marine Biological Association. upon remote sensing, unmanned vehi- or call me a new partnership. 22 cles and ground-truthing by survey ves- to influence Sharing marine science INE BIO R LO sels. This level of resource and expertise the way your A G M I C can only be brought to bear through magazine 36 So you want to be a marine biologist ... by Jack Sewell E A H L T collaborations between institutions. evolves. Introducing ‘Young Marine Biologist’ MBA membership for A S N the next generation. S O We learn about a new South Atlantic O C I ATI Est. 1884 research institute for which collabora- 37 Reviews Incorporated by Royal Charter 2013 Reviews of recent books, films and all things marine. Front cover: Sylvia Earle at Aquarius, the undersea research laboratory in the Florida Keys. 32 www.mba.ac.uk Image: Kip Evans. Back cover: The long snouted seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus. Image: Neil Garrick-Maidment/Seahorse Trust www.theseahorsetrust.org 02 The Marine Biologist | Spring 2014 Spring 2014 | The Marine Biologist 03 In brief In brief A new centre for earth and its way across the Pacific have proved The findings highlight a lack of Assistant at Plymouth University.” origin of some very innovative projects, marine science and technology unfounded. Massive dilution in the ocean knowledge about how microplastics For its 12th year, the MBA Post- such as a joint project that installed a The British Geological Survey (BGS) and meant that radioactivity concentrations mediate uptake of contaminants into graduate Conference will return to Queens ‘ferry box’ on the cross-channel ferry Heriot-Watt University are joining forces rapidly declined to very low levels, and marine food webs. University Belfast (Northern Ireland). to monitor changes in sea temperature to create the Sir Charles Lyell Centre radiocaesium levels in tuna migrating The research was presented at the Marinexus and salinity. The outreach activities which will promote innovative research at across the Pacific to the US are tiny second annual Posters in Parliament People on both sides of the English have also been extremely enriching for the core of geoscience, marine ecology, (Madigan et al. 2012). But fishing bans event. See The Marine Biologist website Channel learned more about local marine all the partners of the project and the computing, mathematics and engineering. remain in place over a large area along for links. ecosystems and their ability to cope with feedback from schoolchildren and the The new fusion of pure and applied the Fukushima coast, partly because the The 11th MBA Postgraduate the effects of human activity, thanks to general public has been very positive”. expertise between Heriot-Watt and BGS Japanese government adopted an ultra- conference takes place in Hull Marinexus, a 4-year €5 million EU Interreg An article on the achievements and will enable the use of innovative methods safe consumption limit of 100 Bq/kg of The MBA’s Postgraduate Conference project which brought together marine sci- learning gained through Marinexus will to create real-world solutions in areas radiocaesium: this is about 10 times lower took place this spring in the Centre ence and outreach in Devon and Brittany. appear in the Autumn edition of the including: global change and ecosystems; than is allowed in most other countries. for Environmental and Marine Science Marinexus funding underpinned magazine. seafloor-mapping using advanced robotic Radioactivity concentrations in fish are at Hull University (Scarborough, UK). research within three themes: long-term Connect and engage with marine vehicles; earthquake and volcanic risk declining and most don’t exceed the 100 Growing strong in its 11th year, the observation programs, the impacts of biologists via social media and monitoring, and energy security. Bq/kg level (Iwata et al. 2013). Neverthe- Conference brings together a group non-native species and ocean acidification For established (or aspiring) social BGS is relocating its Edinburgh office less, some fish in the near zone to Fuku- of early career scientists that are in and the ability of native species to adapt media users, a new online hub for to the £17m, purpose-built complex shima can exceed this limit many times.