Join Reef Check Australia and friends on the second Tuesday night of each month in your lounge room/office/comfy chair, for an evening of discovery, inspiration and appreciation of our local marine, coastal and catchment environments.
THE SPEAKER:
This month we will hear from Dr Merrick Ekins, Queensland Museum.
Merrick is the Museum Collection Manager of Sessile Marine Invertebrates which include; Porifera (sponges), Cnidaria (hard and soft corals, jellyfish, hydroids, anemones), Ascidians, Zooanthids, Hemichordata, Bryozoans (lace corals) and Brachiopods (lamp shells). He is involved in the collection, identification and preservation of sessile marine invertebrates and some that have a non-sessile phase like jellyfish. He is responsible for the curation of over 60 000 specimens; including 5000 species of sponges, 1000 species of ascidians and 600 morpho-species of octocorals. His job also entails field surveys to Moreton Bay, the Great Barrier Reef and most remote locations including Torres Straits.
Recent avenues of research include population dynamics of sponges on deep sea mounts in the Pacific Ocean, and their connectivities between these islands. His research interests also include the taxonomy of sponges, gorgonians, ascidians and jellyfish. He has described new species of sponges and jellyfish, and written several papers on invasive species colonizing Australia plus oh so much more!
ABOUT THE TALK:
Merrick will tell us all there is to know about sponges and other sessile marine invertebrates and some cool stuff about sponges that most people are not aware of.
Virtual doors (zoom) opens at 6.25pm for a 6:30 pm start.
Stay after the event for networking and nibbles (BYO obviously!) - get your burning questions answered and continue your thoughts, ideas and sea-minded discussions with your local community, all from the comfort of your couch!
Bring a mate and share in the discovery!
At Reef Check Australia we’re all about inspiring our mates and we love to read your thoughts! So, share your favourite parts about the night and tag us! Reef Check Australia #coasttocoral
This initiative is hosted by Reef Check Australia, and proudly supported by oh so many groups including the City of Gold Coast, Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd, Sunshine Coast Council's Environment Levy partnerships grant, and Townsville City Council.
Future talks take place on the second Tuesday night of each month, with a new, interesting and engaging speaker.
For more information contact [email protected]ia.org
