The in situ ecology group at the Biologische Anstalt Helgoland focuses on fish and macrozoobenthos ecology, behaviour and physiology in shelf sea system habitats. Using state of the art laboratory, mesocosm and field technologies incl. scientific diving, we want to understand how macrozoobenthos and fish behave within their natural environment and how natural or man-made changes in this environment affects this behaviour. Within the research area, we actually study the behaviour of benthic (sea robin) and epi-benthic (cod) fish species with special interests in group foraging and prey-predation interactions. A new research area actually established in my group is acoustic communication in fish.

Besides fish ecology, my group is strongly involved in the development and application of in situ technology for remote controlled underwater observatories and diver operated 3D optic systems. We actually operate the in situ optic system called RemOs1 in Lake Constance, a low cost permanent underwater observatory to continuously assess fish diversity and distribution patterns in complex habitats like artificial reefs in lakes and estuarine systems. Based on this system, we develop 3D-software to analysis fish assemblages and environmental data for fish community and behavioural studies.

Prof. Dr. Philipp Fischer