Recent News
Remembering the Life of the 'Ocean Vet'Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Where do I begin? How do I find the words? How do you even begin to describe the impact that one person can have not on your own life, but on an entire country?
'Ocean Vet' Burnie dies in diving incident
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Dr Neil Burnie, the noted veterinarian and fisherman who is well known for his research on marine species, died yesterday after running into difficulties while diving at Horseshoe Bay Beach.
Tributes to an admired custodian of the sea
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
The late veterinarian and ocean activist Dr Neil Burnie has been described as one of Bermuda’s best-loved characters and legendary custodian of the sea.
Bermuda Mourns The Loss Of Dr. Neil Burnie
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
The island is today mourning the loss of Dr. Neil Burnie, the well-known veterinarian and colourful character with an unmatched passion for Bermuda’s marine wildlife.
Staff at BAMZ respond quickly to Hurricane Gonzalo damage
Thursday, November 06, 2014
It takes a great deal of time and energy to prepare your home for an impending storm — making sure your home is secure, that you have an ample supply of food and water, and, if you have pets, making sure they are kept inside and safe.
About
GovernanceAbout Us
Newsletter
Latest News
Gift & Bookstore
Contact
General Inquiries
info@bzs.bm
Latest News
All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!
Vital research: Oliver Steeds, Nekton’s mission director and founder
says a race against time to explore and understand this critically
important ecosystem before it’s too late
A deep ocean research mission is set to begin off the coast of Bermuda tomorrow.
Conducted by multidisciplinary organisation Nekton, the scientific programme will create a new standardised methodology to be used by marine biologists for measuring physical, chemical and biological indicators to assess the function, health and resilience of the deep ocean.
The island’s waters are said to be the “perfect location” for the mission, as Nonsuch Island is where deep ocean exploration began.
Oliver Steeds, Nekton’s mission director and founder, said: “From 1930 to 1934, the island was the base for William Beebe and Otis Barton’s record-breaking descent into the ocean using the Bathysphere, a spherical chamber lowered by cable from a ship. They reached a depth of 3,028 feet, or 923 metres.
“The deep ocean is the beating heart of our planet which regulates our atmosphere, water, food and climate. Yet we’ve invested only a tiny fraction of the trillions spent on space research on deep ocean research.
“It’s a race against time to explore and understand this critically important ecosystem before it’s too late.”
The mission is sponsored by reinsurer XL Catlin and partnering with the Ministry of the Environment. The scientific findings will be released as part of the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey.
The international team will work together from two research vessels, the Baseline Explorer and the Canadian coastguard ship Hudson, and will include scientists from the environment ministry and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.
Alex Rogers, Nekton’s principal scientist and conservation biology professor at the University of Oxford, said: “By working together and developing a common scientific approach, we will develop a better understanding of ocean health.
“The XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey will create the first standardised methodology for marine biologists across the world to build on.”
The mission will be using manned submersibles and remotely operated vehicles to explore the ocean and, like XL Catlin’s previous ocean research programmes, they have committed to making the data freely available for scientists to use.
“This partnership is confirmation of our commitment to actively learn more about potential emerging risks,” said Patrick Tannock, chief executive of XL Catlin’s Bermuda Insurance Operations and chairman of the XL Foundation.
“Collecting and sharing reliable and impartial data is imperative. As a reinsurance company there is an immediate need to accelerate our knowledge of how the oceans are changing. We need to understand the risks that businesses, society and ecosystems will face in future.”
•The Bermuda Tourism Authority is hosting the launch of the mission today at 5.30pm at the BUEI’s Tradewinds Auditorium. Tickets are complimentary but there are limited spaces available. For more information call 294-0204 or visit BUEI’s gift shop.