Peter Petersen at the EUAC Convention in Horta, Azores (2023)
For Peter Petersen, data is more than just numbers—it’s a powerful tool for protecting the world’s aquatic life. As Head of the Animal Department and Assistant Curator at the National Aquarium Denmark (Den Blå Planet), Peter has spent decades working to bridge science and public understanding through aquariums, fieldwork, and global collaborations.
Since 1998, Peter’s professional journey has taken him from zookeeper training at Roskilde Technical College to spearheading biodiversity efforts at Denmark’s largest public aquarium. Along the way, he’s become a member of international bodies such as the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), and the IUCN Species Survival Commission, and now serves as the EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP) Coordinator for Cichlids (Cichlidae)—a role that involves managing breeding programs across European institutions, promoting sustainable population management, and supporting conservation-focused research for one of the world’s most diverse freshwater fish families.
But his dedication goes far beyond the walls of an aquarium.
A Contributor Who Builds Bridges
Peter has been a valued contributor to FishBase since 2020, guided by the belief that “sharing information is important—together we can learn more.” He appreciates how FishBase makes knowledge accessible to all, noting that “it can be used by anybody, with information available anytime, anywhere.”
He regularly contributes species data—such as common names, size, and other key biological information— much of it obtained through work at the National Aquarium Denmark and in collaboration with the Natural History Museum in Copenhagen. These contributions are complemented by high-quality photographs provided through the talented lens of marine photographer Johnny Jensen. Peter also plays a key role in validating new species pages, helping keep FishBase’s massive database both accurate and up-to-date.
“It’s a tool used every day by scientists, conservationists, public aquariums, and even hobbyists,” Peter explains. “FishBase and SeaLifeBase can help save species from extinction.”
Peter Petersen during a field trip in Madagascar (2024)
From the Azores to Madagascar
Peter’s passion for fieldwork and education shines through his global travels. Whether attending the EUAC convention in the Azores or conducting field research in Madagascar, he documents these experiences through photography and storytelling on his website, Amazonas.dk, and on iNaturalist, helping bring nature closer to people.
A Vision for the Future
As we mark 35 years of FishBase and 20 years of SeaLifeBase, Peter’s wish is simple but vital: faster updates and more stable servers. These improvements, he believes, are key to supporting the growing demands of users who rely on these databases for science-based decision-making, species assessments, and education.
His story is a reminder that collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to open-access data can truly move the needle for conservation—especially when driven by a global network of dedicated individuals working together to share knowledge and protect biodiversity.
- Visit FishBase and SeaLifeBase to explore the databases helping safeguard aquatic biodiversity worldwide.
- Learn more about Peter’s work: www.denblaaplanet.dk | www.amazonas.dk
This feature is part of a series on FishBase and SeaLifeBase collaborators in celebration of the 35th and 20th anniversaries of the global databases, respectively.
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