Dr Jason Hall-Spencer - Coral Reef damage
When most of us think of coral reefs we imagine the Great Barrier Reef or other famous tropical sites but equally spectacular are the large and diverse coral reefs in the Northeast Atlantic. Sadly, just as elsewhere in the world, these ancient reefs - more than 4,500 years old - are being smashed to pieces by damaging fishing practices. Dr Jason Hall-Spencer at the University of Plymouth and the Marine Biological Association, UK is working with teams in France, Germany and Norway to assess the damage and what needs to be done to stop it.
What does this research involve?
Jason studies the biogeography and functional ecology of calcified marine organisms in an effort to understand how our oceans are changing. He has focussed on cold-water coral damage because commercial interests in offshore oil reserves have prompted extensive surveys of the northeast Atlantic continental shelf break area over recent years.
In some ways Jason is a scientific detective. Using deep-sea submersibles he and research colleagues have been able to study the large, colourful and spectacular coral communities off Ireland, Scotland and Norway using seabed photography, acoustic surveys and analysis of commercial trawling. This research has gathered evidence of trawl scars up to 4km long, damaged habitats, dragged rocks and turned-over sediment among these ancient reefs. This damage is clearly caused by unregulated deep-sea bottom trawling as Jason has found further evidence in the discarded by-catches from commercial trawls which include large pieces of coral (that have been broken from reefs) and a diverse array of coral-associated flora and fauna.
As part of his on-going research, Jason will spend from May to July 2003 on board the largest German research vessel Polarstern. On board is an international research team using the French survey robot Victor to study sea mounts and newly discovered deep-water coral reefs in the northeast Atlantic. You can keep track of their progress on-line at www.polarstern-victor.de
Why is this research important?
Jasons research into coral reef damage is important as it provides further proof for conservationists who are campaigning to ensure legislators introduce controls to stop these damaging fishing practices and so preserve a part of our natural heritage. His main research focus on calcified marine organisms has many benefits including monitoring the impact of ocean change on global warming and commercial fish reserves.
How will this research help society?
Jason explains: "Most of us associate coral reefs with warm, well-lit waters off tropical coasts - it surprises many that the grey, northeast Atlantic harbours these amazing reefs. Heavy trawls are bringing up coral that has been in place for thousands of years. We urgently need improved management of offshore areas world-wide both to protect ancient deep-water habitats and the fish that they support."
Source of funding
Dr Hall-Spencer is one of the Societys 300 or so University Research Fellows. This scheme allows some of the UKs best postdoctoral researchers to spend up to ten years focussing on their research. His fellowship is funded by the Societys parliamentary grant.