The Vancouver Aquarium, already widely known and respected for its scientific research, has added a new capacity to that effort.
After years of research for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Peter Ross (PhD) has joined the aquarium to create a new Ocean Pollution Science Programme.
ListenThe Vancouver Aquarium long ago began to expand and make a departure from the typical aquarium “zoo-like” attraction, and into a wide and intensive,research, conservation, and marine animal rescue facility.
With the recent addition of Dr Ross, the research aspect, already renowned, will grow further.
Peter S. Ross is a world expert in the field of ocean pollution and the only marine mammal toxicologist in Canada
Ross says there are an ever increasing number of threats to the oceans and marine creatures from fuel spills, agricultural runoff, urban effluent, the many thousands of chemicals we produce, even radioactive spills, along with the concerns of global warming and climate change affecting the marine environment and the chemical balance of the oceans.
His latest research involves the relatively recent issue of plastics which being man-made, are never absorbed back into nature but merely break down into tiny, even microscopic particles which can be taken up by marine life and disrupt the ecosystem starting at the bottom of the food chain.
In terms of this new initiative into ocean pollution research Ross says, “This is an area of study that must not be overlooked,” He adds, “By launching this program, we’re meeting immediate scientific, conservation and education needs. The Aquarium is stepping up to the plate on an issue that is often vexing and complex but also worthy of dedicated research.”
He says the Vancouver Aquarium with its other scientific and conservation efforts is a unique entity and because of those other projects is able to study issues from a holistic stand, and is on the way to becoming a recognized world centre of ocean and marine mammal research.
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