The eight different exhibits of the exhibition deal with topics such as sustainable fisheries, littering of the oceans, ocean observation, climate change and ocean acidification. A new addition is an exhibit on the topic biodiversity which was developed in connection with research projects on the Cape Verde Islands. The goal of the "Future Ocean Dialogue" is to present the overarching research topics of the Cluster of Excellence in such a way that they can be processed visually and by touch, and to make this accessible to an international public. The exhibition will be open in the OSCM until the end of February 2018 and is meant to appeal to both junior scientists and school classes and to raise awareness about topics in Kiel marine science.
Apart from the time-tested exhibits, a new topic has been integrated into the exhibition with the module "Biodiversity on the Cape Verde Islands". The most recent module deals with the research of Cluster member Dr. Henk-Jan Hoving from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. With a camera system specifically developed for great depths, PELAGIOS studies organisms in the deep sea around the Cape Verde Islands. For the first time, Hoving and his team have gotten fascinating insights into the underwater world of the marine hotspots. Organisms rarely or never sighted before are now appearing in front of the lens. From deep sea squids to thaliaceans and jellyfish to fish and large predators, unexplored species bustle in these depths. In contrast to conventional sampling, Hoving can study organisms with this method without having to take them out of their natural habitat and pressure ratio. Highlights of the video material can be seen in the new exhibit.
Biodiversity is not the only important research area in Cape Verde which is favored by the geographical location, the submarine topography and sea currents. Another main focus lies on fisheries: Fish is still an important, if not the livelihood of the Cape Verdeans. The consequences of climate change are already being felt in Cape Verde today: The oxygen content of the Atlantic has changed measurably in the region, so-called oxygen minimum zones have developed. Organisms which need a certain amount of oxygen to survive, such as yellowfin tuna, are moving into other areas of the water column. Thus, feeding grounds change and as a logical consequence so do the chances of survival for certain species.
The practice of handling the ocean and nature with care has long since reached Cape Verde. The conservation of ecosystems and fishing grounds is not only vital, but shall also supports the networking and continuation of globally important research topics of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The exhibition "Future Ocean Dialogue" creates a platform for this purpose, which is meant to broaden the exchange between scientists and the public as well as the dialogue between politics and science in the long run. Local school classes benefit from the exhibition. With school materials especially prepared in the local language, the students can interactively process topics, such as waste in the ocean, in the exhibits in the OSCM and discuss with the scientists on site until February 2018.
Links
https://dialogue.futureocean.org/en/index-2.html (about the exhibition „Future Ocean Dialogue")
www.cvoo.de/?id=89 (Webseite of OSCM)
…
