Southern Fried Science

#SciFund, a month long initiative to raise funds for a variety of scientific research projects, is once again upon us. Project leaders post a project description and an appeal for funds, and members of the public are invited to make small donations to projects that they deem worthy. Donations come with rewards such as access to project logs, images from fieldwork, your name in the acknowledgements of publications, among other possibilities. Many of these projects are marine or conservation themed. Once again, we’re highlighting some of our favorite marine science proposals. Please take a look at these projects and, should you so desire, send some financial support their way. If you do make a donation, let them know how you found out about their project and leave a comment (anonymous if you’d like) on this post letting us know.

Seahorse Adventures

Charismatic and charming, for many people around the world seahorses capture the enigmatic beauty of marine life. Moreover, many fishers depend on seahorses, which they catch for the aquarium and traditional medicine trades. However, many seahorses are under threat from habitat destruction, overfishing and bycatch (accidental capture in fisheries). We must find ways to make seahorse fisheries sustainable for the sake of both seahorses and the people that depend on them. Unfortunately, achieving sustainability is complicated by a poor understanding of the basic ecology of seahorses – like what do they eat? and how does this help them to grow and reproduce?<

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For Seahorse Adventures, graduate student Lindsay Aylesworth is looking for funding to support a local research assistant in southeast Asia, where she studies seahorse populations and fisheries interactions. I’ve got a long history with syngnathids, so appreciate any research done on the ocean’s oddest fishes. Head on over to Lindsay’s project page and send some rocket fuel her way!