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Michael Sars Centre partners with Paris Aquarium to introduce comb jellies to the public

The Michael Sars Centre at the University of Bergen and the Paris Aquarium have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to exchange expertise on comb jelly husbandry. The collaboration marks a significant milestone as animals first raised at the Centre are now on display in the aquarium’s Medusarium©, the largest jellyfish exhibit in Europe.

Anaïs Courtet, Alexandre Jan and Étienne Bourgouin in the laboratory
Alexandre Jan (middle) trained aquarist Anaïs Courtet and jellyfish curator Étienne Bourgouin from the Paris Aquarium in the ctenophore facility at the Michael Sars Centre.
Photo:
Melanie Burford/Michael Sars Centre, UiB

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As one of the only European research institutes possessing the expertise to cultivate ctenophores, also called comb jellies, the Michael Sars Centre became a key partner of the Paris Aquarium as it seeks to expand its collection. The delicate, iridescent animals are notoriously challenging to maintain in captivity. Through the collaboration, the aquarium can now sustainably cultivate and display the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi for the first time. “At the Paris Aquarium, we want our visitors to be amazed by the beauty of the Ocean and thus participate in its protection. We show that science is not boring. Science is beautiful and fun,” said Paris Aquarium Director Alexis Powilewicz. “Our partnership with the Michael Sars Centre is part of the development of our expertise on ctenophores through an exchange of skills and knowledge." 

The collaboration benefits both institutions, offering an opportunity for researchers to access new resources. “We would like to have more species in our facility, to develop new techniques,” said Alexandre Jan, ctenophore aquarist for the Burkhardt group at the Michael Sars Centre. “We are all working on different species, so it's good to have this network together”. The Michael Sars Centre also has an ongoing collaboration with the Bergen Aquarium, where a jellyfish tank was inaugurated in May 2024.

Portrait of Alexis Powilewicz

Paris Aquarium CEO Alexis Powilewicz visited the Michael Sars Centre to establish the partnership.

Photo:
Melanie Burford/Michael Sars Centre, UiB

“Our partnership with the Michael Sars Centre is part of the development of our expertise on ctenophores through an exchange of skills and knowledge."
- Alexis Powilewicz, Paris Aquarium Director

A new exhibit showcasing ctenophores is expected to open in 2025 at the Paris Aquarium, further establishing the Medusarium© as a reference for jellyfish displays in Europe. “Jellyfish is one of the most important exhibitions that we have,” said Etienne Bourgouin, jellyfish curator. Together with aquarist Anaïs Courtet, Bourgouin has ambitious plans for the future of gelatinous species at the Aquarium. “We want to create a new facility only for comb jelly. Alexandre teaches us this part, what kind support system we need and how to make new generations with mature adult.”

For Michael Sars Centre Director Lionel Christiaen, collaborating with local and international aquariums is a great opportunity to connect research and education. “At the Michael Sars Centre, we are convinced that communicating new knowledge is an integral and essential part of the scientific process”, he said. “We are thus excited to have established a partnership with the Paris Aquarium, that will further spread our growing knowledge of marine living systems.”