“Hypoxia and sex changes in fish” – Meet-the-media session
Media representatives are cordially invited to cover the following event:
Event: “Hypoxia and sex changes in fish” – Meet-the-media session chaired by marine conservationist Prof Rudolf Wu of City University of Hong Kong
Date:
Time:
Venue: Conference Room, B6605, Department of Biology and Chemistry,
Media representatives please gather at 10:45am at Rm 4153, Cheng Yick-chi Building, Communications Office, City University of Hong Kong
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have discovered that lower levels of oxygen in the sea, caused mainly by pollution and agricultural run off, can activate sex changes among fish, leading to greater numbers of male fish than female.
As a result of oxygen depletion, known as hypoxia, the reproduction cycle of certain fish could be damaged, leading to the possible extinction of certain species.
This is the first ever report in the world of science that hypoxia can affect the sex development, sex differentiation and sex ratio in a fish/animal.
Professor (Chair) Rudolf Wu of the Department of Biology and Chemistry and also the Director of Centre for Coastal Pollution and Conservation, both at CityU, will discuss his research in detail, with particular reference to the Pearl River Delta and the waters around Hong Kong and the implications of his research for the local marine eco-systems.
For media enquiries, please contact Michael Gibb, Communications Office, City University of Hong Kong at 3442 6121 or 6308 0173; or Jenny Kwan, Communications Office, City University of Hong Kong at 3442 6548 or 9306 8568.