Stoa Scleractinia Episode 1 - Dr. Owen O’Shea

Episode 1, Part 1

Dr. Owen O'Shea is a marine biologist and the founder of the Centre for Ocean Research and Education (CORE) situated in Gregory Town, Bahamas. In part one of this podcast, Owen shares his journey from learning financial regulations in London to studying Marine Biology in Tropical North Queensland at James Cook University. Owen explains the challenges and frustrations he faced when first starting his undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. He embraced fate and made the most out of the obstacles in his path.

"The impediment to action becomes part of the action; the obstacle in our way becomes the way forward" - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.20.

Go to https://www.coresciences.org/oshea-bio to learn more about Dr. Owen O'Shea.

Episode 1, Part 2

In Part 2, Dr. Owen O’Shea talks about the transition from his undergraduate with honors, to starting a PhD. After successfully completing his honours research investigating the ecology of cleaner fish and their clients (i.e. sharks, rays, and other reef fish) on the Great Barrier Reef, Owen took up a research assistant position at the University of Western Australia. He was subsequently awarded a PhD scholarship to study the ecology and biology of stingrays at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia through Murdoch University, funded by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). Here, Owen expresses the feeling of humility and intensity involved with starting the learning process all over again during his PhD research.

“There is nothing that stubborn effort and close, persistent attention will not overcome. Oak can be straightened, however much it is bent. Heat unfolds curved beams; those that grew in other shapes are fashioned into whatever our uses require. How much more easily may the mind be shaped, pliable as it is, and more yielding than any liquid!” - Seneca, On Anger, 2.13. (1-2).

Go to https://www.coresciences.org/oshea-bio to learn more about Dr. Owen O’Shea.

Episode 1, Part 3

Dr Owen O’Shea explains the reality behind publishing work in journals. There is often a misconception that scientists get paid from publishing their work, when in fact, the reality is quite the opposite. Scientists’ will typically sign over the copyright to their research in order to have it published, leaving the publisher with the freedom to charge for journal subscriptions as well as individual papers. Additionally, publishers can offer an ‘open access’ option, whereby researchers will pay the journal, retaining copyright and therefore allowing ‘free access’ to their work. Fees for open access will vary among journals, but can be as high as 10,000 euros. We are at a time in human history where everyone should have free access to the science behind climate change, marine ecosystem health, and environmental conservation, and currently, economics is exacerbating this counter intuitive process in scientific publishing. As Owen points out, “If you’re not communicating your science, then what’s the point in doing it?”.

“Part of my joy in learning is that it puts me in a position to teach; nothing, however outstanding and however helpful, will ever give me any pleasure if the knowledge is to be for my own benefit alone. If wisdom were offered me on the one condition that I should keep it shut away and not divulge it to anyone, I should reject it. There is no enjoying the possession of anything valuable unless one has someone to share it with” — Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, Letter VI.

Go to https://www.coresciences.org/oshea-bio to learn more about Dr. Owen O'Shea.

Episode 1, Part 4

Dr Owen O’Shea explains the importance of capacity building for coastal and nearshore communities when it comes to protecting their local resources. The Centre for Ocean Research and Education in Gregory Town is a place for local Bahamian communities to learn about their “Saltwater Backyard”. By involving local communities in the data collection of high-end research activities, Owen immerses his students into the marine environment and provides opportunities for them to work with world class researchers. Owen has created an environment where young Bahamians can gain the skills and confidence to manage their marine environment for generations to come.

"For the mind does not require filling like a bottle, but rather, like wood, it only requires kindling to create in it an impulse to think independently and an ardent desire for the truth" - Plutarch, Moralia, On Listening to Lectures (Loeb Classical Library, 1927 translation).

Go to https://www.coresciences.org/oshea-bio to learn more about Dr. Owen O'Shea.

Episode 1, Part 5

Through a chance encounter in Indonesia, Dr Owen O’Shea overcame his fears of diving, and during his first dive came face to face with a cuttlefish. In that moment, Owen’s perception of his environment changed, and he became driven by curiosity to know more about the organisms he shares this planet with. Owen uses this experience as a catalyst to help young people in The Bahamas overcome their fears of the ocean and the animals in it. By doing so, students that visit CORE leave with a greater understanding and appreciation for nature. As Owen says, “everything is in balance and everything works for a very specific reason that maintains the health of this planet”. Understanding the balance between nature’s ecological systems and the organisms that occupy it is a crucial step in protecting them.

"The direction in which education starts a human will determine their future in life" - Plato

Go to https://www.coresciences.org/oshea-bio to learn more about Dr. Owen O'Shea.

Episode 1, Part 6

Being active in research is essential for The Centre for Ocean Research and Education (CORE). Despite Owen’s main research niche being in sharks and rays, his contemporary research activities are based on the assessment of coastal and nearshore ecosystems and their ecological processes. These research activities include the ecology of a stingray species previously unknown to The Bahamas called the Atlantic Chupare (Styracura schmardae), the resilience of seagrass ecosystems to climate change, the impacts of human activities on turtle behaviour, and the divergent ecological evolution of marine communities based in an inland saltwater lake. As Owen explains, sharks, rays, turtles and other charismatic animals are all constituents of marine ecosystems in The Bahamas. The demonstration of connectivity within the mosaic of ecosystems that characterise The Bahama Archipelago is an integral part of conservation approaches towards a more holistic understanding of marine ecosystems; both in The Bahamas, and a regional and global scale.

"All things are parts of one single system, which is called Nature; the individual life is good when it is in harmony with Nature. In one sense, every life is in harmony with Nature, since it is such as Nature’s laws have caused it to be; but in another sense a human life is only in harmony with Nature when the individual will is directed to ends which are among those of Nature. Virtue consists in a will which is in agreement with Nature."- Zeno of Citium, Founder of Stoic Philosophy.

Go to https://www.coresciences.org/oshea-bio to learn more about Dr. Owen O'Shea.

Episode 1, Part 7

Plastic pollution is among one of the greatest threats to marine biodiversity. Despite contemporary efforts to curb this incursion, it remains one of the most impervious conservation issues for generations to come. Here, Owen describes his attempts to mitigate the modern sources of pollutants, where he investigated the impact of weather balloons within The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. At the time of his 2014 publication, he and his co-authors predicted 70% of these balloons released within 50km of the coast were modelled to impact the marine environment. While meteorological data is valuable, Owen argues that such archaic methods are consistently proving fatal to a range of marine organisms. This research was part of the Australian marine debris initiative managed by the Tangaroa Blue foundation, led by their director Heidi Taylor. This is a prime of example of citizen science in action to address environmental problem.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead

Links: Tangaroa Blue Foundation (https://www.tangaroablue.org/), The Centre for Ocean Research and Education (https://www.coresciences.org/) Predictable pollution research paper here.

Go to https://www.coresciences.org/oshea-bio to learn more about Dr. Owen O'Shea.

Episode 1, Part 8

Dr Owen O’Shea’s community education centre hosted by The Centre for Ocean Research and Education (CORE) is a learning space for everyone, including himself that readily admits he is learning everyday. Using this approach, CORE has been successful at removing the wall of a classroom by providing a holistic environment for everyone to be immersed and involved with the marine environment. When it comes to protecting our environment, we have a common objective. Even the most basic steps as participating in activities such as local beach cleanups or planting trees, are a wonderful and holistic way to be immersed in nature that will always benefit conservation priority.

"Associate with those will improve you. Welcome those whom yourself can improve. The process is mutual; for people learn whilst they teach" - Seneca, Epistles 7.8

Go to https://www.coresciences.org/oshea-bio to learn more about Dr. Owen O'Shea