Saving the seahorse: McGill biologist featured on public television
The secret realm and love life of the seahorse, threatened by overfishing, will be explored next week in the prestigious television program NOVA, thanks to the research of McGill biologist Amanda Vincent. Dr. Vincent is rapidly becoming known worldwide for her work in conservation biology and in alerting the world to the impact of the global seahorse trade. "Kingdom of the Seahorse," a BBC and NOVA/WGBH co-production, will be aired on Vermont Public Television (Channel 33, CF Cable 14, Videotron 27), Tuesday, April 15, at 8 p.m., and on Mountain Lake Television (Channel 57, CF Cable 51, Videotron 21), on Thursday, April 17 at 9 p.m.
In high demand as an aphrodisiac, a source of traditional Chinese medicine, and a curiosity (for example, it is the male seahorse that becomes pregnant), the seahorse is vital to subsistence fishing communities in the Philippines, Thailand, India and Vietnam. Dr. Vincent is working with several of these communities to develop viable seahorse culturing programs and sanctuaries.
A Canadian who obtained her PhD at Cambridge University in the U.K., Amanda Vincent was teaching in Oxford when the documentary "Kingdom of the Sea" was filmed. She joined McGill University last fall. Given the range of her work she will be leaving for three months research in Asia as soon as her teaching duties in McGills Faculty of Science have ended in mid-April. She returns to teach at McGill once again next fall.
Further background material and photos on Amanda Vincents seahorse research may be obtained by contacting the University Relations Office, 514-398-6747. Interviews may be arranged prior to April 16 by calling Kate Williams, Director, University Relations Office or Helen Meredith, Development and Alumni Relations Associate, Faculties of Arts and Science, 398-6211. Please note that Dr. Vincent speaks French.
