Download PRESS RELEASE 9th May 2012 NEW DIRECTOR OF THE SIR

PRESS RELEASE
9th May 2012
NEW DIRECTOR OF THE SIR ALISTER HARDY FOUNDATION FOR OCEAN SCIENCE
The President and Council of the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) are
pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Nicholas Owens as Director of the Foundation
with effect from the 1st August. During a distinguished career spanning over 30 years in the field of
marine science Professor Owens has served as the Director of British Antarctic Survey, the Chief
Executive and Director of Science, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Chair of Marine Sciences, University
of Newcastle and has played a leading role on many national and international committees including
the National Marine Aquarium, the European Polar Board, the NATO Earth and Environmental
Sciences Panel, the Royal Society Committee on Antarctic Research, the Scientific Steering
Committee of the IGBP International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Project (IGAC).
Professor Owens said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join SAHFOS as its Director. I am
especially interested in the highly successful and long-running Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey
(CPR), which is unique in its approach to a globally important area of marine environmental
research. Since 1931 the merchant shipping sector has voluntarily towed sampling devices behind
their vessels, collecting and preserving samples of marine plankton as the ships make their normal
passage between ports. This Survey has provided unique data about the health of the oceans,
climate change and the effects of fishing. To be able to lead SAFOS at a time of critical importance
for our oceans is an exciting prospect, and one with global relevance. As an independent research
institute of long and highly recognised standing, I am looking forward immensely to the challenge.”
Professor Peter Liss CBE FRS, President of SAHFOS, added: “It is with great pleasure that I welcome
Professor Nick Owens as the new Director of SAHFOS. He has had a distinguished career in the
marine sciences both as a researcher and as Director of two world-class research institutes. His
wealth of experience in leading scientific research will be of great benefit to our ongoing work. We
are all looking forward to him joining us this summer.”
Note for Editors.
The Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) is an independent research
organisation, and charity, based in Plymouth, concerned with research into the distribution of
marine plankton and how this changes over time. It does this principally through running and
maintaining the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey. The CPR is based on a sampling device,
towed behind merchant ships, that collects and preserves the marine plankton as the ships make
their normal passage between ports. Shipping companies have been voluntarily deploying and
recovering CPR samplers since 1931. The Survey has provided unique data about the health of the
oceans, climate change and the effects of fishing.
Publication quality photographs of plankton can be provided.
For further information please contact:
Marion Smith
Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science
The Laboratory,
Citadel Hill
Plymouth
PL1 2PB
E-mail: [email protected] Tel +44 (0) 1752 633288 http://www.sahfos.ac.uk/
Professor N J P Owens