Congratulations to Professor Sean Connell, Ms Sandy Carruthers, Dr Dominic McAfee, Ms Anita Nedoskyo and Mr Alan Noble (The University of Adelaide) on being a finalist for the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards by the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science for their Science to revive lost oyster reefs. The award winners will be announced on 17th November 2023.
As reported above, Professor Sean Connell, Ms Sandy Carruthers, Dr Dominic McAfee, Ms Anita Nedoskyo and Mr Alan Noble (The University of Adelaide) combined are a finalist for the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards by the Department for Industry, Innovation and Science for their Science to revive lost oyster reefs.
“Oyster reefs once carpeted our gulfs to provide food and shelter for fish and clean the coastal waters with their filter feeding but had been dredged to extinction. Drawing on knowledge from marine biologists and marine engineers that baby oysters can hear underwater sounds and use them to navigate, the team played underwater music that is attractive to baby oysters and provided them with highways of sound to navigate to reefs being built for them.
“Part of this work involved building homemade speakers to play the most attractive sounds for oysters, so that the oysters can rebuild their reefs far quicker than nature would normally allow. This journey created a eureka moment in science with the discovery that marine life can be so fundamentally influenced by sound that their entire life cycles can depend on the natural production of healthy soundscapes.”
According to https://www.scienceawards.sa.gov.au/ , “This collaboration between The University of Adelaide, conservation organisations and the government has revived an extinct ecosystem to restore fish production and water quality for the enjoyment of people, and to provide economic opportunities.
“The SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards showcases the critical importance of science, research and innovation to the development of industry and society as a whole. The Awards provide a remarkable opportunity to recognise the work of inspiring Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) leaders and teams working in research and education institutions, schools, industry and the community.
“The Awards are a significant occasion in South Australia’s science calendar and are recognised as the premier science showcase event highlighting the diversity of scientific endeavour and research in this State.
“The South Australian Scientist of the Year and the South Australian Innovator of the year will receive a prize to the value of $25,000. The winners of the remaining categories will receive a prize to the value of $10,000 to use towards their career development. All winners receive a trophy designed and produced by the Jam Factory and recognised as ambassadors of science at the state level.”
The winners of the awards will be announced on 17th November 2023.