8 women, 1 catamaran and lots of UK water samples
22nd July 2010
Scientists from
Plymouth Marine Laboratory have teamed up with a crew of eight
energetic women, who have challenged themselves to sail around the
British Isles and will undertake marine sampling throughout their
journey on behalf of PML.
The expedition, entitled Vision Round Britain
(www.visionroundbritain.org), which is in aid of the Cornwall Rape
and Sexual Abuse Centre, will set sail from Falmouth on the 25th
July 2010 (weather permitting) and will take the crew on a 3 week
voyage around the British coast. On their way the ladies will
collect samples, which will be brought back to base where PML
scientists will analyse the plankton and viruses present.
The catamaran, Skipper’s Daughters, will be kitted out with all the
equipment necessary to perform the activities; a conical net will
be dragged through the surface water and the resultant “catch” will
be preserved for visual and DNA identification, and filters will be
used to collect novel marine viruses, for molecular analysis, that
could be suited for industrial application.
Dr Pennie Lindeque, Molecular Ecologist at
PML, commented: “This is an unprecedented opportunity to access
water from multiple locations around the UK, over a relatively
short time scale. As a working scientist, to embark on such a trip
is expensive and the opportunities are rare. However, there is
still a need to obtain and research samples from our national
waters, especially to help us understand how the marine environment
is changing.”
The team will depart from Mylor Yacht Harbour (Cornwall) at
approximately 10:30 on Sunday 25th July 2010. All are welcome to
wave them off.