A NEW aquarium and research facility going up in Hobart is to be named after marine biologist pioneer Dr Isobel Bennett.
Dr Bennett AO (1909-2008) was a researcher who conducted early studies of Australian plankton and wrote about sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island when she joined the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) in 1959.
The new facility at Taroona will allow scientists to research Antarctic krill and other Southern Ocean species and interface directly with the icebreaker RSV Nuyina’s containerised aquaria.
“This facility will give us a step change in capability for the research we can do, not only on Antarctic krill but also on the related species in the ecosystem that are critically important for supporting the recovering populations of great whales, seals and seabirds,” Australian Antarctic Division krill research systems manager Rob King says.
He says a 23-year-old purpose-built aquarium for Antarctic krill in Kingston has outlived its purpose.
“It really was a prototype facility. It was the first of its kind to warm the water for filtration, which increased its capability.
“Now we’ve proven that works, we’ve run out of space because it works so well and we don’t have the floor area. This new aquarium will give us 18 separate research labs where we currently only have three.”
Due for completion in 2028, the research centre will be known as the Dr Isobel Bennett Southern Ocean Research Aquarium.
“Dr. Bennett was one of Australia’s most distinguished and prominent marine scientists who achieved a notable research record,” the division’s Head of Division, Emma Campbell, said.
“Her early work on plankton and studies ranging from the sub-Antarctic to the Great Barrier Reef paved the way for so many of today’s marine scientists.
“Australia leads the world in live Antarctic krill research and this facility will maintain that position,” Dr Campbell says.