Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Determining breeding and exposition conditions for selected Arctic and Antarctic marine organisms at the Gdynia Aquarium in Gdynia, Poland.  (Breeding and exhibiting polar marine organisms.)

Outline
The principal aims of the project are to: - exhibit polar marine organisms at the SFI Gdynia Aquarium; - determine border and optimal breeding conditions for polar marine organisms; - attempt to breed psychrophilic organisms; - exchange knowledge on breeding and exhibiting with other institutions of a similar profile; - improve the existing educational exhibits at the SFI Gdynia Aquarium; - attempt to create an aquarium ecosystem of small invertebrates with a closed food chain; - identify the breeding cycle of selected species of marine invertebrates; - prepare multimedia presentations and conduct educational programs for youngsters at all school levels; - prepare polar region presentations on the Sea Fisheries Institute Internet site; - organize a series of lectures with polar scientists and explorers; - create an educational program with the following goals: a) to popularize the polar regions; b) to demonstrate the necessity of their conservation; - to popularize the International Polar Year 2007-2008.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The project will widen the scope of educational activities at the SFI Gdynia Aquarium. New educational and aquarium exhibits will be created. Experience will be gained in the breeding of polar marine organisms. International Polar Year 2007-2008 will be popularized through the media and expositions at the SFI Gdynia Aquarium.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The SFI Gdynia Aquarium does not have any international partners in this project, but it is willing to become engaged in co-operation.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Polish Polar Station PAS in Hornsund, Svalbard (Spitsbergen).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/05 – 09/05      07/06 – 09/06      07/07 – 09/07
Antarctic: 01/06 – 03/06      01/07 – 03/07      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The Sea Fisheries Institute does not own a vessel that would be suitable for use In his project. For this reason we co-operate with other institutions that either own or charter vessels and that are participating in other research projects in the polar regions: - Polish Academy of Sciences - Oceania; - Gdynia Maritime University - Horyzont.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Aquarium exhibits of polar marine ecosystems will be created at the SFI Gdynia Aquarium. Breeding, experimental, and quarantine facilities will be created. The existing educational exhibits addressing the polar regions will be updated and expanded.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Accepted by Polish National Commetee for 4-IPY 2007-2008. The project is endorsed by the Sea Fisheries Institute in Gdynia and the Polish Academy of Sciences.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
New

This is a new project, and we are open to initiating co-operation. This project is based on the long-term breeding and exhibition experience of the SFI Gdynia Aquarium, and it also relies on the faculty of the University of Gdansk for their experience in the field of seeking out and collecting organisms from the polar regions.

How will the project be organised and managed?
1.Director, SFI Gdynia Aquarium – Adam Michalak, M.Engr.; 2.Assistant Director, SFI Gdynia Aquarium – Leonard Wawrzyniak, M.Sc.; 3.Project Leaders: • Magorzata Matulaniec, Ph.D. (SFI Gdynia Aquarium); • Barbara Wojtasik, Ph.D. (University of Gdansk, Faculty of Genetics). 4.Biologists (SFI Gdynia Aquarium): • Pawek Kozik, M.Sc.; • Maciej Podgórski, M.Sc.; 5.Aquariaists (SFI Gdynia Aquarium): • Dariusz Górnowicz; • Edmund Wozny

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project will allow for the improvement of both exhibits and educational programs. New educational topics, multimedia presentations, and Internet sites will be created. New experience will be gained in breeding psychrophilic polar marine organisms. Information regarding International Polar Year 2007 – 2008 will be disseminated through the media and exhibits at the SFI Gdynia Aquarium.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data obtained will be utilized on SFI Internet sites as well as in educational programs and scientific publications.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
A portion of the project will be funded as part of the statutory activities of the SFI Gdynia Aquarium. Additional funding will be obtained from other sources (grants and sponsorships).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
In 2006, the SFI Gdynia Aquarium plans to create 105 m2 of exhibition space with 33 tons of water to present psychrophilic organisms from the North Atlantic. The project would permit these exhibits to be enriched with organisms from polar waters.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr Adam Michalak
Gdynia Aquarium
Sea Fisheries Institute in Gdynia
Al. Zjednoczenia 1. Gdynia
81-345
Poland

Tel: + 48 58 621 70 23
Mobile: no
Fax: + 48 58 621 13 95
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation