If you follow this newsletter, you know that OGL scientists travel the world to find the terrific collaborators who help us to document the amazing diversity of life in the sea and to spread the word about genome conservation.  But have you ever wondered how OGL finds these great collaborators? Well, one important way is by attending international scientific conferences and seminars.  In this issue we will introduce you to OGL's newest staff member, visiting scientist Jorge Huete-Pérez, as we follow him to a an important conference in Central America.

While going to Costa Rica may sound like a vacation, for Dr. Jorge Huete Pérez, Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Central America and founder of the Nicaraguan Academy of Science, its all part of the job.  In May, Jorge traveled to Costa Rica to attend the 35^th scientific conference of the Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC). This bi-annual meeting brings together marine scientists from all over the world to share their ideas and to present their research on Caribbean marine life -research which includes such subjects as coral reef ecology and diseases, pelagic fisheries, sea turtle conservation, oceanography, coastal management, climate change, and marine genetics, just to name a few. 

For Jorge, this trip meant presenting his proposal for a Central American Marine Genome Repository, to be created jointly by the Molecular Biology Center of the University of Central America (MBC/UCA) in Nicaragua, Ocean Genome Legacy, and other collaborators throughout the region.  This will be the first marine genomic archive dedicated exclusively to the under-studied marine biodiversity of Mesoamerica.  Such an archive would provide a tremendous opportunity for Central American researchers and students, as well as those from the US and other countries, to discover undocumented species and to perform research in many areas related to the marine realm.  Through the AMLC conference, Jorge was able to make contact with valuable connections and potential supporters of his work.

Political map of the Caribbean Sea - region of archival interest

Notes Jorge, "Well-organized conferences like this one provide a great opportunity for scientists, young and old, to meet in a stress-free situation, away from the daily work environment, to address critical issues like overfishing, pollution and global warming.  This is especially important for many Central American countries, such as El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, which have quite fragile scientific infrastructure, particularly in the area of marine biology and oceanography".  

The 36th AMLC conference will be held in 2013.  We look forward to being able to present exciting new results from Jorge's work.

Your Tuna Salad Sandwich Might Be On the Road To Extinction!

Amid controversy from the commercial fishing industry, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has declared five of the eight major species of Thunnus (tuna) as threatened with extinction.  According to Dr. Bruce Collette, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission's (SSC) Tuna and Billfish Specialist Group and Senior Scientist of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, "This is the first time that fishery scientists, ichthyologists and conservationists have come together to jointly produce an assessment of the threats facing a commercially important group of fishes."

The recently released report details threat levels for billfish and scombrids, including tuna, bonito, mackerel and Spanish mackerel.  The IUCN report indicates the two species facing the greatest threats are the Atlantic bluefin and the southern bluefin, which are rated endangered and critically endangered, respectively. The report classified other species as "vulnerable", "near threatened", or of "Least Concern."  On the plus side, many species closely related to tuna, such as skipjack and bonito, are still relatively plentiful. How can you help? Purchase and consume fish species from sustainable populations- follow the link below for helpful information.  

For more information on the IUCN Report, please visit  http://www.iucn.org/knowledge/news/?7820 

To find out of your meal is on the endangered species list, visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sustainable Seafood Guide at http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch/

Sea Trash: How Ocean Debris is Impacting Marine Life

Photos: Courtesy of NOAA and The Ocean Conservancy

NEW JOB OPENING!   

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

The Ocean Genome Legacy Laboratory for Marine Genomic Research (www.oglf.org) seeks a postdoctoral research associate to investigate lignocellulose degradation by wood boring marine bivalves of the family Teredinidae (shipworms) and their bacterial endosymbionts. The successful candidate will be knowledgeable and experienced in genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics and must have excellent laboratory skills in molecular biology and microbiology. Knowledge of microscopy and enzymology of lignocellulose degradation is also desirable. OGL seeks an employee with excellent organizational, communication and laboratory skills, who pays strong attention to detail and has the desire and ability to work well in a collaborative group setting. The position is available immediately and offers exciting opportunities for broad research training, publication, competitive salary and benefits, and the potential for advancement within a new academically oriented non-profit research institution. Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, list of publications, and contact information for at least three references by email to info@oglf.org (referencing job code OGL-LC-NL in the subject line) or by regular mail to the address below.

Ocean Genome Legacy, Inc. is a publically supported non-profit research organization dedicated to exploration, description, documentation and preservation of the genomic diversity of the oceans. OGL is located on the campus of New England Biolabs in Ipswich, MA, and is an equal opportunity employer.

Please direct all inquiries to:

Daniel L. Distel, Ph.D.

Executive Director, Ocean Genome Legacy

240 County Rd., Ipswich, MA 01938

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Want to help OGL document and preserve the spectacular genetic diversity of our world's oceans?  Visit  http://www.oglf.org/Support.htm