Six questions for the Professor - meet Karin Hüssy

What do you think about being appointed Professor?

I am very happy, proud and a little humbled by that. After all, such an appointment is a huge recognition of my scientific professionalism and efforts to develop the otolith research field at DTU Aqua.

Would you like to describe your research briefly?

My primary research interest is to develop research into otoliths as the fish's "black box". That is, to investigate how the information stored in the otoliths can be used to study the biology and ecology of the fish, and also how that information can then support stock assessment and – advice giving.

My research activities therefore cover a wide spectrum of topics within fish biology, from individual level to population level.

One of my areas of focus is to understand how environmental conditions and physiology interact and regulate the growth, visual appearance and chemical composition of the otoliths. And how this knowledge can be used to estimate the fish’s vital rates (age and growth) and reconstruct the environment they have been in.

In addition, I am also involved in developing new approaches to study fish migration. I do this by linking information from otolith chemical properties, environmental hydrography and electronic tags.

Analyzes of otolith growth and chemical composition, when combined with genetic analyzes and hydrodynamic modelling, contribute to mapping population structure and distribution patterns for a wide range of pelagic and demersal fish species. The aim is to ensure a more accurate stock assessment.

Now we take a big leap back to hear where your interest in marine life and the path of biology began?

I have all my life had a great interest in animals. Much to my mother's chagrin, I constantly had containers of beetles, snails and whatever else I could find as "farms" on our balcony or in my room.

I grew up by the Rhine and have spent all my summer holidays in Denmark. In both places I have always spent most of my time by, on or in the water.

But my interest in marine life really started the day my neighbor got a television. We didn't have anything. And the first thing I saw was a documentary with Jacques Cousteau filming dolphins.

Such a life was to be my destiny. I almost succeeded – at least the part of working with animals in the sea..

During my education, I found out that there were probably more opportunities to understand life in the sea by going the research route. And here the first time I saw a picture of an otolith became decisive for my career. The different shape, concentric rings and changing structure of the otoliths were patterns I just wanted to learn to decode.

Why is marine research important today?

The sea looks so untouched and wild when you look beyond its sparkling surface or wild waves. Human impact on the ocean is invisible to most people, and it's so easy to ignore something you can’t see.

But we humans are well into the process of destroying unique nature through the discharge of nutrients etc., climate change and overfishing.

Therefore, it is extra important that we provide new knowledge about the effect human activity has on our marine environment and resources, and make this knowledge available to the general public and those who ultimately have to manage our nature and resources.

How will your research area with the new professorship contribute to a more sustainable world?

The aim of my research has always been to contribute to improving stock assessment of fish and thus to a sustainable utilization of one of our marine resources.

My professorship also aims to strengthen the study line "Fisheries, biodiversity and resource management" in the new master's program in Hirtshals - and thus contribute to educating a new generation of students who have an increased focus on sustainability.

What do you like to do when you are not dealing with fish and your profession?

In my everyday life, I spend an hour every day training in a gym. It gives me a balance between body and brain, as well as a wonderful active time with friends.

In addition, I'm always doing something creative: knitting a sweater, creating jewelry, or renovating our house.

But the best are weekend trips and holidays with my family, which usually involve activities from hiking, kayaking to surfing.

Photo: Anne Trap-Lind