April 20, 2006

VANCOUVER AQUARIUM RECOGNIZES ACHIEVEMENTS IN AQUATIC SCIENCE

Murray Newman Award recipients include: Dr. Edward Donaldson, Dr. Paul Harrison and Alexandra Morton

Vancouver, BC: The Vancouver Aquarium honoured contributions from British Columbians to aquatic science last night at the 12th annual Murray A. Newman Awards, recognizing recipients Dr. Edward Donaldson, Dr. Paul Harrison and Alexandra Morton.

Dr. Edward Donaldson, Scientist Emeritus at the West Vancouver Laboratory of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Originally from Britain, Dr. Donaldson joined the DFO in 1965 and eventually became the Head of the Biotechnology, Genetics and Nutrition Section of the West Van Laboratory. His research has included the development of techniques for induced ovulation and spermiation, production of monosex and sterile populations, growth acceleration and evaluation of stress in wild and cultured salmonids. Dr. Donaldson has served on a number of scientific committees, lectured or consulted in over 30 countries, and has received many awards over the years. He has also been a member of the Vancouver Aquarium board of directors since 1992.

Dr. Paul Harrison was awarded this year’s Murray A. Newman Award for Significant Achievement in Aquatic Research for his research in biological oceanography. Dr. Harrison’s work began with a focus on phytoplankton nutrient uptake and utilization. He has since become a leader on several large-scale Canadian and international research projects examining the role of the North Pacific in the global carbon cycle. In addition to his research, Dr. Harrison has had an impressive teaching career, mentoring graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to achieve great success.

Alexandra Morton is this year’s recipient of the Murray A. Newman Award for Significant Achievement in Aquatic Conservation. Morton began her career studying whale behaviour, producing pioneering research in the 1970’s about the correlation between call types and behaviour in killer whales. However, in recent years Morton has focused on wild salmon conservation and the effects of aquaculture, studying the impact of sea lice on wild salmon populations. She is being honoured with this conservation award for her diligence in raising awareness around sea lice.

The Murray A. Newman Awards were established as a tribute to Dr. Murray Newman, the founding director of the Vancouver Aquarium. When Dr. Newman retired in 1993, many of his friends and colleagues got together to recognize his contribution to public awareness and understanding of the aquatic world. Their hope is to create a long and lasting endowment for the Aquarium for years to come.

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For further information, please contact:

Brenda Jones, Manager, Public Relations

publicrelations@vanaqua.org