When we got the call from a reporter in Tonga, we knew this story was global. You couldn脮t read a newpaper, turn on a radio or watch the news on television over the past few weeks without coming across Dalhousie脮s newest media stars, Boris Worm and Heike Lotze. CNN, MSNBC, BBC, the Globe and Mail - media from every corner of the world were talking about Worm脮s and Lotze脮s breakthrough research that finds that populations of most wild seafood face collapse by 2050 if current trends continue. In total, the story was covered in 187 media outlets (and counting).
Even before the research was made public, international reporters were anxiously knocking at the door. A teleconference was set up in which the San Francisco Chronicle, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Newsday, the Seattle Times, and CTV in Toronto peppered the Dal researchers for information. In the days afterward, there were dozens of interviews and photo sessions.
Despite repeated badgering from Communications and Marketing, Drs. Worm and Lotze stepped up to the countless media demands and each request was greeted with gentle good humour. One day, the Cincinnati Post, the next, USA Today. In the morning, an interview with the China View, in the afternoon, a conversation with ABC Australia; from Time Magazine, to The Mirror in Great Britain. The story even found its way to the 脪Weekend Update鈥� segment of Saturday Night Live 脨 to our knowledge, the first time Dalhousie research made it to the pop culture institution.
In each case Dr. Worm and Dr. Lotze were front and centre, shining examples of the world-class calibre of Dalhousie's research community.
And the story脮s not over. The research has sparked debate on our pages and in the world脮s media. Stay tuned for a follow-up on the aftershocks脡
For a selection of media coverage, see .
For another example of Dalhousie脮s leadership position in the field of ocean research, read about our landmark international conference on Ocean Track Network here: