Passionate marine science and radio astronomy leader Dr Bernard Bowen was the inaugural Chair of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (a joint venture between The University of Western Australia and Curtin University) Dr Bowen is renowned for being one of the country’s finest science administrators, presiding over scientific advances ranging from the oceans […]
Passionate marine science and radio astronomy leader Dr Bernard Bowen was the inaugural Chair of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (a joint venture between The University of Western Australia and Curtin University) Dr Bowen is renowned for being one of the country’s finest science administrators, presiding over scientific advances ranging from the oceans to the skies in a career spanning more than half a century.
He was Western Australia’s first government marine research scientist, analysing the State’s lucrative rock lobster fishery, and spent 24 years at the helm of the Department of Fisheries (formerly the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife) until 1991. He also played a significant role in the development of the WA Marine Research Laboratories and the WA Wildlife Research Centre.
Dr Bowen then went on to become deputy chair of the WA Environmental Protection Authority from 1994-1997, and served as chair from 1997-2003.
In 2005, at the request of the WA Government, Dr Bowen guided the establishment of the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) and was its founding chair.
He was instrumental in the establishment of ICRAR in 2009—serving as its founding chair until 2016—and helped bring part of the Square Kilometre Array telescope to Western Australia.
ICRAR executive director Professor Peter Quinn said Dr Bowen used his knowledge and experience to support WA science for more than 60 years.
“Bernard’s many, many accomplishments are a legacy that will benefit Western Australia for generations to come.”
“He was a great friend and colleague, and ardent advocate for science. His passing is a great loss to the science community and he’ll be greatly missed by all.”
Dr Bowen was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1991 and was awarded an Australian Centenary Medal in 2003.
In 2011, he was inducted into the WA Science Hall of Fame, joining Fiona Stanley, Ian Constable, John de Laeter, Barry Marshall and Robin Warren.
The University of Western Australia awarded Dr Bowen an honorary Doctor of Letters in 2016, and in 2017, a minor planet was named in his honour.
This article was originally published by UWA. read the original article HERE
By : Matthew Fraser, University of Western Australia; Ana Sequeira, University of Western Australia; Brendan Paul Burns, UNSW; Diana Walker, University of Western Australia; Jon C. Day, James Cook University, and Scott Heron, James Cook University The devastating bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 and 2017 rightly captured the world’s attention. But what’s less widely known is that another World Heritage-listed marine ecosystem in Australia, Shark Bay, […]
The devastating bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 and 2017 rightly captured the world’s attention. But what’s less widely known is that another World Heritage-listed marine ecosystem in Australia, Shark Bay, was also recently devastated by extreme temperatures, when a brutal marine heatwave struck off Western Australia in 2011.
Impact prediction, monitoring and the lessons learnt from implementing dredging programs is the focus for discussion led by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) at the AMSA Conference in July.
The “Perspectives on Dredging” symposium co-Chair and WAMSI CEO Dr Luke Twomey said the purpose of the symposium, in Fremantle, is to gain a better understanding of how new knowledge is being put into practice.
“This is an opportunity for us to understand practitioners’ views on the new science that is being produced and how they are likely to use it,” Dr Twomey said.
“From recent mega-projects in Western Australian and Queensland, to small maintenance dredging programs in coastal waterways, this conversation will help to understand how the science outcomes are being put into practice and help to identify the future direction for research.”
Australia has experienced unprecedented levels of dredging over the last two decades and the nation’s biggest single-issue science program to address the science questions, the WAMSI Dredging Science Node, is about to release the synthesis of those results.
“As a result, there have been some incredible advances in our understanding of impacts to the marine environment from dredging and how to better predict, monitor and manage dredging programs,” Dr Twomey said. “The question now is, how are practitioners using those results?”
The “Perspectives on Dredging” AMSA symposium is open to scientists, regulators, resource managers, industry, consultants and those with a practical experience of dredging practices in the marine environment.
It will provide an opportunity for dredging professionals to demonstrate their contemporary practical experience and how the impacts of dredging on the marine environment are predicted, managed and monitored in real-world scenarios.
WAMSI is providing the opportunity for day sponsorship for five student presentations at either the “Perspectives on Dredging” or “The South Coast of Western Australia: research for management” symposia at AMSA.
To be considered please submit your abstract to AMSA by COB Friday 22 February AND email your abstract or any questions to info@wamsi.org.au.
Uncovering the published and unpublished data relating to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of the waters off the south coast is the conversation the Western Australian Marine Science Institution wants to start at this year’s AMSA Symposium in July.
The symposium, in Fremantle, aims to bring the South Coast to the attention of the wider marine science community and government bodies as well as begin to understand the knowledge gaps, impacts and the opportunities.
Symposium Chair and WAMSI Research Director Dr Jenny Shaw explained the purpose is to bring the research together that will help to develop a strong case for a future WAMSI research program to support south coast marine management.
“This is the first step in understanding what knowledge is available ahead of canvassing government, industry, community and research views on management and what’s important to them about the south coast,” Jenny said.
“Previously there has been little focus on the south coast, however, renewed interest in the opportunity for economic development in this pristine environment has meant it’s time to make this area a focus for research.”
This symposium session is open to all researchers working off the south coast of Western Australia and welcomes collaborative input into informing management with good science.
WAMSI is offering day sponsorship for five student presentations at its AMSA symposiums.
To be considered please submit your abstract to AMSA by COB Friday 22 February and also email your abstract or any questions to info@wamsi.org.au.
A comprehensive plan to respond to environmental pressures facing the Shark Bay World Heritage site is being led by WAMSI.