The Foundation
Taking a chance, to implement a vision
Background/History
Both the destruction of natural ecosystems as well as the exploitation of natural resources increase every day. A study published 2006 in Science (Worm et al.)*1 suggests that 2048 no fish will be in the oceans anymore, due to overharvesting, oxygen-free zones and water pollution.
But on the other hand, we, as human beings, have a deep interrelationship to our natural environment, called “biophily” (E. O. Wilson in: Etzold, 2007)*2. Especially urban citizens desire to take excursions into the wild (Hediger in: Etzold, 2007)*3. This behaviour is one of the prerequisites of the success of public aquariums and zoos.
Aquariums
Presenting the life of our oceans, lakes and rivers from the depth to the surface is our passion and the core of the professional aquarium industry. The first generation of aquariums was opened 1867 in Paris, 1869 in Berlin, 1872 in Brighton, 1874 in Naples, 1896 in New York, 1902 on Helgoland and 1904 in Honolulu. They are subject to a constant technical progression, and since approximately 30 years due to concrete and acrylic panels we are able to create fascinating underwater facilities which are more or less prefect copies of natural habitats (aquariums of the 5. generation). They give the visitor and us the possibility to be part of such an amazing world without rubber boots, swimming trunks or even diving equipment. Furthermore, artificial sea salt allows the production of artificial sea water and therefore enables the establishment of large marine aquariums in the inland. Ever since its existence the animal presentations and shows were the main attractions. Today they are known as places of entertainment, education, conservation and research.
But often science is still underrepresented, and only in a few aquariums an integral part of the daily business, like in the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Scripps Oceanographic Institut (both USA) or the marine park of Valencia – L’Oceanogràfic, in Spain.
Conservation and Research
The aquariums of the 5. generation do not only have spectacular exhibitions, but they also possess gigantic dimensions: For example the Oceanos-tank with 7 mill. litres of saltwater at the marine park (Aquarium) in Valencia (Spain), the main tanks with 11 mill. litres of saltwater at the Dubai-Mall and the Lost Chambers Aquarium (Atlantis The Palm Hotel, Dubai), or even the largest tank of the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore with 18. mill. litres of saltwater.
These amazing prerequisites give us the possibility to use our facilities also for conservation and research in responsibility for the environment. A lot of aquariums are still active concerning conservation issues, the public awareness and outreach respectively. What is relatively rare, are “indoor” research projects in public aquariums. On the one hand, it is not easy to implement scientific investigations, because of the need for special experimental conditions. For example bio-acoustical experiments are only possible avoiding overlapping of signals due to the tank shape and design. But on the other hand, the huge amount of tanks and their size are the potentially perfect research facilities. Why? Because there is no need of expensive research vessels and crews, or good weather conditions.
The Foundation Purpose
The purpose of the foundation is the support of research in public and private aquariums, its implementation and performance, as well research projects which will be completed in the field or laboratory aiming at aquariums relevant issues and will be encouraged. Furthermore, the foundation promotes, as consequence of research in aquariums, the establishment of the new scientific discipline – Aquarium Science – called Aquariology (McCormick-Ray, 1993)*4. It includes all aquarium aspects, like planning and construction, its operation, employee and visitor specific questions, and with particular emphasis all biological, veterinarian, physical and chemical relationships. Sustainability is as well of special interest concerning the projects.
The long-term goal is the establishment of aquariums of the sixth generation, in which research is a fundamental part of the institution.
Further Steps – How it works
To establish science in aquariums different approaches are possible and necessary:
1. An inventory analysis will provide data about the actual research situation in aquariums around the world. This process takes time and needs manpower. After the evaluation it is obvious which focus is implemented, for example basic technical matters or fish issues.
2. The foundation as focus of research in aquariums: To raise the awareness level of the foundation and its purpose well-aimed promotion in aquariums, universities and scientific research institutes is necessary.
3. Network: Additionally the setting-up of an international network to coordinate alone standing and interactive projects between different institutions will be a core competence.
Financial Resources – Support
1. As often money is the limiting factor – the Aquarium Research Foundation ARF – will provide the necessary financial means, as well know-how and manpower to promote science in aquariums.
2. The amount of money provided depends on the project in general, and other properties like duration, subject of the investigation, personnel costs etc. Even project parts will be supported.
3. Additionally, scholarships will be awarded.
Let’s save the sea together through research in aquariums!
Implementation and Accomplishment
1. Implementation and accomplishment of scientific experiments in the tanks (in the main displays and backstage) and nature
2. Scientific experiments in the tanks with involvement of the public (providing and explaining the experiments to the public) and
3. Citizen Science: Specially designed expieriments will be undertaken by visitors. For example measuring the shell size of endangered mussel species to get information about the population development etc.
*1 Boris Worm et al., 2006. Impacts of Biodiversity Loss on Ocean Ecosystem Services. Science 314, p. 787-790
*2 E. O. Wilson in: Sabine Etzold. Die Zeit. 26.04.2007.
*3 Hediger, Heini, 2007. In: Die menschengerechte Wildnis. Sabine Etzold. Die Zeit. 26.04.2007.
*4 M. Geraldine McCormick-Ray, 1993. Aquarium Science: The Substance Behind an Image. Zoo Biology 12: 413-424.