Meet-the-Marine-Scientist Series: New Year, New Species - Discovery of new marine species and conservation (Cantonese)

Marine Science studies and discovery sound mysterious and unreachable to most people. Through the “Meet-the-Marine-Scientist” series talks, the public has the chance to get in touch with significant local and overseas marine scientists. Let’s explore the Unexplored!

As the first marine science education activity in the Lunar New Year, the “New Year, New Species” talk by Prof Qiu Jianwen from Hong Kong Baptist University is a promise of fresh and striking eye-opening experience!

About the talk:

The continuous efforts to discover new marine species are important for Human Beings to understand more about the unknown biodiversity of the world; and so as to improve marine conservation. In the past ten years, Prof. Qiu and his team explored the deep sea through Chinese Jiaolong Manned Submersible and other research vessels. They reached down to 1,400m deep in ​​the South China Sea and other areas. The newly discovered marine species in the deep sea include a rare worm without a mouth or digestive tract, a swimming glass scallop and two deep-sea mussels that feed on bacteria.

Besides, Prof Qiu also contributed a lot to local marine species discovery. He and his research teams have been exploring the shallow sea of the East and West of Hong Kong, Victoria Harbour and other areas. They have discovered a box jellyfish with 24 eyes, colourful sun corals, coral-eating nudibranchs, and others.

The talk is filled with precious videos and photos of Prof Qiu’s exploration and research results that you don’t want to miss.

You are also welcome to visit the 3D models of Prof Qiu’s 4 first discovered coral species in Hong Kong at A Deck, and the ship model of Jiaolong Manned Submersible at B Deck, and others (Note: A valid admission ticket is required for visiting HKMM galleries).

About the speaker:

Prof. Qiu Jianwen is from Hong Kong Baptist University. His major areas of study include biodiversity, population connectivity, environmental DNA and genomic adaptations to extreme environments. Over the last two decades, Prof. Qiu’s research team has published around 250 papers and discovered 28 marine species new to science, including 12 new species from Hong Kong.

Talk Details

Date: 24th February 2024 (Sat)

Time: 14:30 – 15:30

Language: Cantonese

Target: Public

Fee: Free of charge

Location: Swire Marine Discovery Centre – Cosco Shipping Blue Ocean Hall, Hong Kong Maritime Museum

Register now: https://forms.office.com/r/8jLVRKhd46