Memorial University continues to support the aquarium at Champney’s West.  On  July 10, 2015 Jim Devereaux (Laboratory Services Supervisor) and John Evely (Water Quality Specialist) from the Ocean Sciences Centre were on site to advise on plumbing and pumping requirements for the sea water system.  At the same time Danny Boyce (Facilities and Business Manager, Joe Brown Aquatic Research Building) was in Champney’s West to work with local fisherman Charlie Freeman in the collection of lumpfish.  Joining Danny was the Field Services team  (Andrew Perry and Zach Ryan ) who were able to identify the best site for sea water intake . While on site the divers were also able to deploy a buoy with a temperature monitoring device that will give water temperatures for the next six months and allow a focusing of the water flow requirements  to meet  the needs  of the facility in an energy efficient manner.

The next Memorial supported activity was Aug 8, when Danielle Nichols, Director of Public Education  arranged  for the OSC touch tank to be in the community for Champney’s West  days.  On hand to display the animals were MUN students  Chelsea Bishop  and Ally Macarthu . This was the forth year the touch tank has been in Champney’s West and as in past years attracted many children of all ages.   The touch tank has been important in keeping public interest alive in the aquarium project.

Next Memorial personnel scheduled to assist in aquarium development will be Bob Hooper (Professor, Department of Biology) and F iona Cuthbert (Instructor, Department of Biology).  Calling upon years of experience at the Bonne Bay Marine Station, Bob and Fiona will advise on the layout and nature of aquaria in the public viewing area. They will craft a plan for the number, size, and content of viewing tanks  in the open area.  This will allow the physical aspects of the aquarium to be complete and will set the stage for activating the displays in spring 2016.

Other Memorial personnel who are engaged in the development of the aquarium are Catherine Street, from the Faculty of Medicine, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Champney’s  West Heritage Group and also maintains the webpage, and Bill Driedzic (Professor and Canada Research Chair in Marine Bioscience).  Bill also serves on the Champney’s West  Heritage Group Board and co-ordinates activities of Memorial personnel.