First Call for Science Research Proposals from Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund
The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund (AWR) today issued its first call for proposals, inviting applications from scientific researchers who can aid in determining the impact of the krill fishing industry on the Antarctic marine ecosystem. Such research will serve to ensure ecosystem protection, while improving the management basis for the fishery.
The commercial fishery for Antarctic krill is currently managed under a series of measures issued by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the international body that regulates activities in the Southern Ocean. The Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund aims to improve the science-based understanding of the role of krill in the Antarctic ecosystem and the scientific basis for krill fishery management.
"I am particularly pleased to see the launch of this research fund today as I believe it shows a real commitment from the fishing industry to engage in sustainable practices that are built upon the solid foundation of scientific evidence. Not only will this fund help build a sound basis for management, but it will hopefully also help foster closer collaboration between scientists from many different nations.
Such collaborations, including with NGOs and industry, are critical if we are to tackle some of the real challenges that face us in managing marine ecosystems as they cope with the combined pressures of climate change and increasing human demands. This fund should be an exemplar for other industries elsewhere in the world" said Dr. Phil Trathan, Chair of the AWR Science Advisory Group.
The Science Advisory Group (SAG) of the AWR, will evaluate and prioritize scientific research proposals received by the fund to ensure they are in line with the scientific research plan, established by the SAG and that they fulfil the goal of AWR.
- The AWR call for proposals opens today, March 16 and closes at June 16, 2015.
- The call is made for projects in the order of USD$25,000 to USD$100,000.
- AWR's first Call for proposals will allocate up to a total sum of USD $250,000.
Launched in February 2015, AWR is a first-of-its-kind partnership between industry, academia and non-government organizations (NGOs), to facilitate and promote research on the Antarctic ecosystem. AWR believes that only through better understanding of the role of Antarctic krill in the Southern Ocean will it be possible to comprehensively protect the animals that depend on it for survival and ensure precautionary management of the fishery.
AWR's founding partners include representatives of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), WWF-Norway and Aker BioMarine.
The Fund works with both commercial supporters and individuals to raise donations for funding research on Antarctic ecosystem and wildlife. Current AWR supporters are: BioMar, Blackmores, Dr.Mercola, Ridley and Swisse.
For more information, including application forms and further information at http://www.antarcticfund.org
More information:
Media Contacts:
As part of her position as Sustainability Manager at Aker BioMarine, Marte Haabeth Grindaker serves as Secretary and press contact to the Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund. She can be reached in Norway at info@antarcticfund.org +47 92 02 07 52
Rodolfo Werner: Scientific Advisor to AWR, Argentina: science@antarcticfund.org +54 294 4441 277
Dave Walsh Communications Director: The Antarctic & Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), in Brussels: dave.walsh@asoc.org +32 493 140 966
ANTARCTIC WILDLIFE RESEARCH FUND – BOARD MEMBERS:
Mark Epstein, Executive Director, The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC)
Karoline Andaur, Head of the Marine Program, WWF-Norway
Matts Johansen, Chief Operating Officer, Aker BioMarine
Sigve Nordrum, Vice President Sustainability, Aker BioMarine
LEADING SCIENTISTS IN THE FIELD OF ANTARCTIC RESEARCH MAKE UP THE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD OF THE AWR:
Dr Phil Trathan, Chair, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK
Dr Polly Penhale, National Science Foundations, US
Dr Javier Arata, Instituto Antarctico, Chile, CCAMLR
Dr Gennadi Milinevsky, National University of Kiev, Ukraine
Dr Taro Ichii, Nat. Research Inst. of Far Sea Fisheries, Japan
Dr Andrew Lowther, Norwegian Polar Institute, Norway
Dr Slava Bizikov, Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries, Russia
Dr So Kawaguchi, Australian Antarctic Division, Tasmania, Australia
Dr. Rodolfo Werner, Senior Advisor to Pew Charitable Trusts and ASOC, is the scientific advisor to the AWR and serves as a liaison between the AWR Board and the Scientific 4
Provided by Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund