Heather Koldewey

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Heather Koldewey
Heather Koldewey (cropped).jpg
Nationality British
Alma mater University of Plymouth
University of Wales, Swansea
Known forSeahorse biology and genetics
Marine and freshwater conservation
Impact of the aquarium trade on wild populations of fish and aquatic invertebrates
Scientific career
Fields Marine biologist, conservationist
Institutions Zoological Society of London
Project Seahorse

Heather Koldewey is the co-founder of Project Seahorse and head of marine and freshwater for the Zoological Society of London-London Zoo Aquarium. [1] [2] She additionally serves as an honorary professor for University of Exeter and a National Geographic explorer. [3] [4] Her research interests focus on marine and freshwater conservation, seahorse biology and genetics, and the impact of the aquarium trade on wild populations of fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Contents

Education

Koldewey obtained a B.Sc. Biological Sciences (Marine and Fish Biology) at the University of Plymouth with First Class Honours in 1989. [1] She then went on to receive a Ph.D. from the University College Swansea/University College London in 1993, where her thesis focused on the genetics of brown trout populations in Welsh rivers. [1]

Career and Research

In 1997, Koldewey became the Curator of the Aquarium and Reptile House at the London Zoo, and has worked to advance the role of aquariums in fish conservation globally. She was also involved in designing and building Biota!, an aquarium in Silvertown Quays in London. In September 2009, the landowner London Development Agency withdrew from the agreement, effectively ending the project. [5] [6] [7] Beginning in 1998, she co-chaired a series of workshops that established the first co-ordinated conservation breeding programmes for fish and aquatic invertebrates in European aquariums. She has been engaged in marine and freshwater conservation efforts, including programmes in the UK, Philippines, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Nepal and Mozambique.

Zoological Society of London

Currently, Koldewey is the Section Head of Global Programmes at the Zoological Society of London.

Koldeway uses collaborative approaches with ZSL to communicate and engage people in marine conservation. This includes Project Ocean - a partnership with Selfridges to bring ocean conservation to new audiences and change consumer buying habits, and One Less - a campaign working to make London the first capital city to stop using single-use plastic water bottles. [8] [9]

Project Seahorse

In 1996, Koldeway co-founded Project Seahorse with Dr. Amanda Vincent. [10]

Koldewey is Chair of the Fish Section of the IUCN Re-introduction Specialist Group, and a UK government zoo inspector. She is the Section Head for Global Programmes at ZSL. [1]

National Geographic Society

In research focusing on plastic pollution in Earth's waterways, Koldeway was appointed as a National Geographic fellow in 2018 and now serves as a National Geographic Explorer. [4] She additionally acts as an Expedition Co-Lead for the National Geographic “Sea to Source: Ganges” river expedition. [11]

Selected publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Zoo</span> Worlds oldest scientific zoo, in London, England

London Zoo, previously known as ZSL London Zoo or London Zoological Gardens and sometimes called Regent's Park Zoo, is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. In 1831 or 1832, the animals of the Tower of London menagerie were transferred to the zoo's collection. It was opened to the public in 1847. As of December 2022, it houses a collection of 14,926 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fishery</span> Raising or harvesting fish

Fishery can mean either the enterprise of raising or harvesting fish and other aquatic life; or more commonly, the site where such enterprise takes place. Commercial fisheries include wild fisheries and fish farms, both in freshwater waterbodies and the oceans. About 500 million people worldwide are economically dependent on fisheries. 171 million tonnes of fish were produced in 2016, but overfishing is an increasing problem — causing declines in some populations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoological Society of London</span> English charity devoted to animal conservation

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. It was founded in 1826. Since 1828, it has maintained London Zoo, and since 1931 Whipsnade Zoo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whipsnade Zoo</span> Zoo near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England

Whipsnade Zoo, formerly known as ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, is a zoo and safari park located at Whipsnade, near Dunstable in Bedfordshire, England. It is one of two zoos that are owned by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquarist</span> An aquarist is a person who manages aquariums, either professionally or as a hobby.

An aquarist is a person who manages aquariums, either professionally or as a hobby. They typically care for aquatic animals, including fish and marine invertebrates. Some may care for aquatic mammals. Aquarists often work at public aquariums. They may also work at nature reserves, zoos, and amusement parks. Some aquarists conduct field research outdoors. In business, aquarists may work at pet stores, as commercial fish breeders, or as manufacturers. Some aquarists are hobbyists, also known as "home aquarists," who may vary in skills and experience.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mote Marine Laboratory</span> Non-profit organisation in the USA

Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit, marine research organization based on City Island in Sarasota, Florida, with additional campuses in eastern Sarasota County, Boca Grande, Florida, and the Florida Keys. Founded in 1955 by Eugenie Clark in Placida, Florida, it was known as the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory until 1967. The laboratory aims to advance marine science and education, supporting conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. A public aquarium and associated education program interpret its research for the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big-belly seahorse</span> Species of fish

The big-belly seahorse or pot-bellied seahorse is one of the largest seahorse species in the world, with a length of up to 35 cm (14 in), and is the largest in Australia. Seahorses are members of the family Syngnathidae, and are teleost fishes. They are found in southeast Australia and New Zealand, and are listed on Appendix II of CITES.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seafood Watch</span> Consumer advisory list

Seafood Watch is a sustainable seafood advisory list, and has influenced similar programs around the world. It is best known for developing science-based seafood recommendations that consumers, chefs, and business professionals use to inform their seafood purchasing decisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums</span> UK and Ireland charitable organisation

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) is a registered charity and the professional body representing over 100 zoos and aquariums in Britain and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public aquarium</span> Aquatic counterpart of a zoo

A public aquarium or public water zoo is the aquatic counterpart of a zoo, which houses living aquatic animal and plant specimens for public viewing. Most public aquariums feature tanks larger than those kept by home aquarists, as well as smaller tanks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbour's seahorse</span> Species of fish

Barbour's seahorse is a species of fish of the family Syngnathidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21st Century Tiger</span> Fundraising organisation (1997–2018)

21st Century Tiger raises funds for wild tiger conservation projects. It was formed in 1997 as a partnership between the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Global Tiger Patrol (GTP) and Tusk Force so that the three groups could collaborate, rather than compete, in raising money for tigers in the UK. The two current members of the coalition are ZSL and Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation (DWF). Based in offices provided by ZSL in Regent's Park, London, and with administration funded by a sponsor, it is able to spend 100% of funds raised on tiger projects. 21st Century Tiger is one of the top seven contributors to tiger conservation worldwide and since its inception it has provided over £2 million to over 70 tiger projects in seven countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild fisheries</span> Area containing fish that are harvested commercially

A wild fishery is a natural body of water with a sizeable free-ranging fish or other aquatic animal population that can be harvested for its commercial value. Wild fisheries can be marine (saltwater) or lacustrine/riverine (freshwater), and rely heavily on the carrying capacity of the local aquatic ecosystem.

Gordon McGregor Reid PPFLS was Director General and Chief Executive of the North of England Zoological Society, popularly known as Chester Zoo. He stepped down in 2010. The North of England Zoological Society is an independent charity for conservation, education and science. It is also one of the leading wildlife attractions in the UK, receiving well over one million paying guests each year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Project Seahorse</span>

Project Seahorse is a marine conservation organization committed to the conservation and sustainable use of coastal marine ecosystems in general, and seahorses in particular. It is based at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries in Canada, and Zoological Society of London in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Vincent</span> Marine biologist

Amanda Vincent is a Canadian marine biologist and conservationist, one of the world's leading experts on seahorses and their relatives. She currently holds the chair of the IUCN SSC Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group and is the marine representative on the IUCN's International Red List Committee as well as being the chair of its Marine Conservation Committee. She previously held the Canada Research Chair in Marine Conservation at the UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada from 2002 to 2012. Vincent co-founded and directs Project Seahorse, an interdisciplinary and international organization committed to conservation and sustainable use of the world's coastal marine ecosystems. In 2020 she became the first marine conservationist to win the world's leading prize for animal conservation, the Indianapolis Prize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna Thynne</span> British zoologist

Anna Constantia Thynne, Lady John Thynne was a British marine zoologist. In 1846, she built the first stable and sustained marine aquarium and maintained corals and sponges in it for over three years.

Saltwater fish, also called marine fish or sea fish, are fish that live in seawater. Saltwater fish can swim and live alone or in a large group called a school.

Richard Charles Thompson is a marine biologist who researches marine litter. At the University of Plymouth he is director of the Marine Institute; professor of Marine Biology; and leads the International Marine Litter Research Unit. Thompson coined the term "microplastics" in 2004.

<i>Seaspiracy</i> 2021 documentary about the environmental effects of fishing

Seaspiracy is a 2021 documentary film about the environmental impact of fishing directed by and starring Ali Tabrizi, a British filmmaker. The film examines human impacts on marine life and advocates for ending fish consumption.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "ProjectSeahorse.org". Dr. Heather Koldewey. Project Seahorse. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  2. "We are all ocean conservationists". Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  3. "Research staff | Biosciences | University of Exeter". biosciences.exeter.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Explorer Profile: Heather Koldewey, Marine Biologist". National Geographic Society. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  5. "Heather Koldewey, Ph.D.: Conservation Advisor". About Us. The Global Coral Repository. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  6. "£1.5bn aquarium project sinks". Evening Standard . 28 September 2009. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011.
  7. "Terry Farrell aquarium plans dead in the water". Building. 28 September 2009.
  8. "Project Ocean tackles plastic pollution". Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  9. "#OneLess". Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  10. "Rare seahorse spotted in Nova Scotian waters". CBC News. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  11. Society, National Geographic. "Plastic: Sea to Source". www.nationalgeographic.org. Retrieved 8 June 2021.