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| Senior Scientist and Department
Chair John McCosker in the Ichthyology collections. |
| DEPARTMENT MILESTONES |
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1995
Aquatic Biology is endowed as a distinct research department
and Senior Scientist John McCosker is named the first Chairman.
McCosker conducts the first deep sea exploration of the Galápagos
Islands using a manned submersible.
1997
John McCosker undertakes the first deep sea exploration of
Cuba using a manned submersible. This study represents the
first joint Cuban/American biological oceanographic expedition
since Cuba’s 1959 revolution.
2002
Successful completion of a 10 year-long salmon husbandry project.
John McCosker is Co-Principal Investigator for the program.
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Anthropology
| Aquatic
Biology | Botany
| Entomology
| Herpetology
| Ichthyology
| IZG
| Library
| Ornithology
& Mammalogy
| Steinhart Aquarium
| Morrison
Planetarium |
Education
| Exhibits
|
Operations
| Academy
Store
Aquatic
Biology | The Study of Life in Water
Evolution
& Behavior of Aquatic Life
Studying microscopic bacteria to man-eating sharks, the Academy’s
newest research department combines field and laboratory studies
of aquatic animals. Steinhart’s living collection, the extensive
Ichthyology collection, and an enormous library of aquatic animal
tissues are available for research in this field.
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 Great
White Sharks
John McCosker’s studies of white shark behavior led to a book
plus many scientific publications and public broadcast films that
changed our understanding of this animal. Its behavior is explainable
and somewhat predictable. McCosker’s work has informed public
safety policies for coastal waters, and legislation to protect white
sharks. |
 A
Century-Long Tradition of Galápagos Study Continues
John McCosker has made numerous collections and studies using S.C.U.B.A.
and deepwater submersibles to 1000 meters depth. Many of the fishes
and invertebrates he collected are species new to science. By analyzing
and describing Galápagos fishes and their habitats, he increases
understanding of nearshore fish evolution and island biogeography.
This understanding can help Ecuador’s government with resource
management decisions. |
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 Endangered
Salmon
Collaborating with UC’s Bodega Marine Laboratory, John McCosker
launched a ten year captive breeding program for endangered Sacramento
River winter-run Chinook salmon. The goals were to maintain the
stock, increase their numbers and probability for survival, and
learn more about maintaining genetic diversity. Steinhart’s
initial efforts increased the wild population of 191 to 3500 winter-run
Chinook.
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