Longing for the Sea

Dear all,

How can you study deep-sea biology in the middle of Germany far away from any coast? We are often asked this question, and sometimes we ask ourselves the same:-) And not because of the place itself, since Senckenberg’s Marine Zoology department in Frankfurt is busy exploring the diversity of species in the oceans and in particular at greater depth, but because we all too often long for the sea, and what between skyscrapers and the lights the city simply cannot be satisfied. Luckily there is a way out. Because the sea is practically right on our doorstep (or dirty back door, but more on that in a moment).

But first, a brief digression into the everyday life of a deep-sea biologist: Depending on whether one is an “early bird” or a “night owl”, we start the day between 7 and 10: answering e-mails is followed by meetings with students and colleagues (on site or online), in between conferences or workshops via Zoom, then we try to plan quiet times to write scientific publications or analyse data, and unfortunately again and again admin, admin, admin. Our job is varied, fascinating and no two days are the same, but it often does not have much to do with the ocean, and the times to dig through the sediment of samples and describe newly discovered species are real quality time on some days! Consequently, 155 days after our return from AleutBio and the “Sonne” we urgently need sea!

So, time to get out of the office and take a quick dive. Today we take the stairs (& not the elevator), briefly cross the backyard between Arthur von Weinberg-Haus and Jügelhaus, and a minute later we are in front of the Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt, home to dinosaurs, a huge variety of butterflies, birds and mammals of all kinds, but also our (deep) longing place (or rather two) in the middle of the city; Senckenberg has created two permanent marine exhibitions on the deep sea and coral reefs, which offer exciting insights into these impressive habitats. And these are currently being supplemented by two marine biological special exhibitions, such as the project Im Tiefenrausch in cooperation with the German Film Institute & Film Museum. Ergo, four excellent reasons for a visit to the museum (on grey February days), and countless more if you take the time to visit all the other exhibitions.

After all, we were able to recharge our batteries in order to get going again – until it grabs us and we descend again into the hidden world of the deep sea.

Warm greetings from the Aleutis in Frankfurt
(Steffi, Andreas, Davide, Henry, Laura S., Derya, Katharina, Laura K., Kathi & Angelika)