Prof. Christine Erbe: "COEST is committed to sustainable development"
Can you elaborate on the transition from the Centre for Marine Science and Technology in Australia to the Centre of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (COEST) in Mauritius?
The center is known as the Centre for Marine Science and Technology in Australia, but in Mauritius, it is called the Centre of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. In Australia, we have been operating for 40 years, even before the creation of Curtin University. Over the years, our research scope has expanded to include land-based studies involving bats, birds, and other terrestrial creatures. However, in Australia, we retained the original name, Centre for Marine Science and Technology, mainly because of the established reputation associated with it. But when we extended our activities to Curtin Mauritius, we decided to change the name to reflect our broader focus, which now includes terrestrial research.
What are the main objectives of this new venture?
Ultimately, our goal is to have a positive impact on the environment. Of course, we understand the need for industrial development and energy production, but we advocate for sustainable practices. We know that this can lead to additional costs and require modifications, but we aim to collaborate with industry, government, and conservation groups to promote and support sustainable development and growth. Our expertise in acoustics enables us to understand and effectively monitor the environment, facilitating the identification and management of impacts (especially noise) from various activities.
The center is renowned for its research in underwater acoustics, particularly in passive acoustic monitoring for conservation. Could you share some recent projects that illustrate the practical applications of your research in support of the Blue Economy and environmental sustainability?
Our work involves close collaboration with ports and offshore industries. When these entities plan an expansion or build new infrastructure, we help them identify the presence and seasonal patterns of wildlife in these areas. For example, during noisy construction phases, such as piling for new docks, we can advise on quieter periods based on animal activity. We do similar work with various offshore industries, ensuring that construction activities do not coincide with critical periods, such as breeding seasons, for species like humpback whales or fish.
Collaboration and partnerships seem to be at the core of your mission. How do these partnerships contribute to your goal of making a difference for people and the planet?
Partnerships are fundamental to our work. While we provide acoustic tools to monitor the environment and detect stress factors, we recognize the need to collaborate with experts in various fields. Biologists, ecologists, doctors, engineers, physicists, data scientists, computer scientists, NGOs, governments, and industries are all essential partners. By pooling our collective expertise, we can effectively address environmental challenges and ensure that our results are used to their full potential.
Acoustic technology has diverse applications, including research on climate change and marine soundscapes. Can you share any innovative projects or solutions?
Our involvement extends to collaboration with industries for the development of new technologies. For example, we work with engineers from the early stages of projects to predict and mitigate noise issues. In climate change research, we use underwater acoustics to monitor iceberg melting in Antarctica. By recording and analyzing ice-breaking events on multiple recorders, we can identify the source of icebergs from specific glacial platforms. We also focus on offshore weather monitoring, using acoustics to assess wind strength and storm locations.
Education and training play a significant role in your work. How does the center collaborate with students and researchers, both locally in Mauritius and globally, to promote knowledge sharing and cultivate the next generation of experts in underwater acoustics and related fields?
We prioritize educational and training initiatives. We engage citizens by making our data accessible to the public, encouraging them to participate in monitoring and identifying marine life, such as humpback whales or orcas in Mauritius. We collaborate with the Mauritius Oceanography Institute, allowing their researchers to use acoustic tools for their studies. We also work with Odysseo Oceanarium, the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation (MWF), and Ebony Forest on various projects related to the protection of marine and terrestrial environments. We support postgraduate students and are introducing eight doctoral students. The plan is to establish a knowledge transfer chain, starting with these experts who, over time, will mentor undergraduate and honors students. Ultimately, we aim to offer outreach programs, including conferences for businesses, government entities, and the public, to raise awareness about our work and its importance.