Saturday, November 26, 2016

Week in Review: Will California Survive the Bag Ban? Stranded Whale Euthanized, Predatory Microbe Described

1.     California Bag Ban - Are Resident Up to the Challenge?
The recently passed proposition 67 was a huge victory for conservationists interested in keeping an estimated 15 billion pieces of plastic from entering landfills and ocean habitats.  Supporters hope that California will serve as an example and other states will follow.
Now that the ban is in place, will Californians determine that they are willing to forgo a bit of convenience?  Will the populous alter their habits and begin caring reusable bags?
Read More…
-----------------------------------------------

2.     Scientists Opt to Euthanize Stranded Whale in New York


A whale that had been feeding in Moriches Bay since November 13th became increasingly weak and after being stranded in Hart's Cove in about two to three feet of water.  The animal drew an audience who strategized about ways to get the cetacean to deeper water.  Scientists and NOAA representatives decided that the whale had become so weak from malnutrition and sepsis that even if it could be moved, it would not survive. The animal seemed to be in extreme pain so veterinarians opted to euthanize the whale.  A necropsy is pending. Read More…
-----------------------------------------------

3.   Man Arraigned After Repeatedly Punching Shark - Hearing December 17th


Two men brought an 8-foot hammerhead shark ashore in Florida.  One of the men, Granger Ray Wooten, allegedly repeatedly punched the shark in the stomach.  He then put the shark on the beach and took photographs of a young girl sitting atop the fish.  Later the two men attempted to return the shark to the ocean and unsuccessfully tried to revive it. When charged, Wooten originally denied the allegations to the arresting officers, but later recanted. Read More…

-----------------------------------------------

4.     NASA Set to Launch Satellite to Survey Globe's Surface Water

NASA intends to launch their Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite in April 2021 to collect the first global surface water survey. The survey will provide details that show the movement of water bodies on Earth’s surface. The satellite will cover at least 90% of the globe twice every 21 days to assist with freshwater management and ocean circulation and climate models. Read More…

-----------------------------------------------

5. The Antarctic Ice Sheet Began Melting in the 1940’s

Using data from seafloor sediments collected in 2012, researchers have concluded an El Nino event caused a surge of warming in the Pacific Ocean between 1939 and 1942. During this time, Pine Island Glacier, a 2-kilometer-thick ice sheet the size of Texas, melted enough to lose contact with an underwater ridge, allowing ocean water to begin penetrating the glacier. This water never could refreeze, even after ocean temperatures returned to normal, suggesting that reversing of ice sheet melting may be difficult, even if ocean water temperature rise is halted. Read More…

-----------------------------------------------

6. Scientists Use DNA Left Behind in Seawater to Gather Data on Whale Sharks

A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution studied whale sharks by analyzing environmental DNA in the water of the Persian Gulf. The research team collected twenty samples of seawater from fifteen locations near the Al Shaheen oil field, where the sharks are frequently spotted. Mitochondrial DNA was extracted from the sampled water and was used to compare the genetic diversity of the sharks to that of whale shark species in Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Read More…

-----------------------------------------------

7. Rare Ocean Microbe is Discovered to Be Important Singled Celled Ocean Predator


Researchers from the University of British Columbia recently discovered the Diplonemid, a tiny single-celled organism, is the most abundant protozoa in the ocean. The Diplonemid, which had never been observed in the ocean or captured before, was previously believed to be a rare species. The organisms were photographed for the first time in samples from deep-water ocean. Read More…


-----------------------------------------------

8. Researchers Track "Yeti", a 960 Pound Great White Shark

Yeti, a 960 pound, 11-foot-long Great White Shark, is being tracked in Atlantic waters by Ocearch, a shark tracking and research operation. Whenever Yeti’s dorsal fin breaks the surface, researchers receive the shark’s approximate location using satellite technology. Yeti has surfaced off the coast of Delaware and Virginia. The researchers use the tracking data to get a better understanding of animal behavior to help preserve their habitat. Read More…



-----------------------------------------------

9. Seaweed Could Be Utilized to Combat Climate Change

The $5 billion dollar global seaweed industry has attracted new European investors. Scotland is looking to harvest seaweed for biogas production, a renewable form of energy that would release methane gas for heating and electricity. The cultivation of seaweed would also help combat climate change by taking in carbon dioxide during its growing season. Read More…




-----------------------------------------------

10. Coral Reef Erosion is Accelerated by Ocean Acidification

Coral reef ecosystems in Papua New Guinea contain higher than average amounts of carbon dioxide due to volcanic activity and were the focus of a recent scientific study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Scientists determined ocean waters with high acidity accelerates coral reef erosion while slowing the growth rate as well. High rates of acidity cause increased boring activity of worms and other organisms, destroying reef foundations. The study confirmed a pH of 7.8 to be the tipping point of when coral reefs begin to dissolve. Read More…

-----------------------------------------------

Be sure to "LIKE" http://facebook.com/SeaSave to ensure our "Week in Review" is delivered to your newsfeed every Friday. 

Sea Save Foundation is committed to raising awareness of marine conservation. The Week in Review is a team effort produced by the Sea Save staff to provide a weekly summary of the latest in marine research, policy, and news.

Monday, November 21, 2016

"Week in Review": US Offshore Drilling Banned, Reducing CO2 Emissions, and More...

1. New Offshore Drilling in California, Oregon, Washington, the Arctic, and Atlantic Federal Waters until 2022


On Friday, President Obama released a five year plan that puts an end to offshore drilling in Alaska's Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Oil exploration would also be put on hold off the Atlantic coast of four southeastern states in the US. The Interior Department held three dozen public meetings and took in over 3.3 million public comments on the measure. The final proposal will be in effect until 2022 and offers access to over 70 percent of the nation's economically recoverable resources. Read more...

-----------------------------------------------

2. World's Most Common Microbe - New Model Unveiled 


International researchers have constructed a computer model to analyze Prochlorococcus, the most abundant photosynthetic microbe on earth. The systems-level approach used gene sequencing technology to show how the microbe will adjust to changing environmental conditions. The scientists discovered the microbe is already undergoing genome streamlining due to a continual lack of phosphorus in some regions of the ocean. Read more...

-----------------------------------------------

3. New Technology Shows Southern Ocean Upwelling, Reduces CO2

Researchers are developing a deeper understanding of the relationship between the southern ocean and carbon dioxide sinks. Strong winds in the region can have a significant impact on the amount of carbon dioxide the ocean can intake. Data from ocean sensors can record where upwelling is occurring, which can release carbon dioxide when deep ocean water reaches the surface. Read more...

-----------------------------------------------

4. Sweden Offshore Wind Farm - Functions as Artificial Reef

Researchers have discovered the foundations of wind turbines at Sweden's largest offshore wind farm are acting like artificial reefs, protecting area marine life from predators. They studied numbers of Carcinus maenas shore crabs, an invasive species, to analyze the stability of the marine food chain.  Read more...





-----------------------------------------------

5. Coral Reefs Around the World Threatened by Climate Change



Coral reef bleaching continued at a devastating rate in 2016.  This is a dire international threat as coral reefs afford shoreline protection, attract tourism, and provide ecosystems for food sources. A scientific study published in Plos One, a peer-reviewed, open-access online resource, shows most of the world's reefs will be affected by warmer oceans and increased ocean acidification. Areas to be first impacted include Oceania, the Coral Triangle, Baja California, Japan, China, and parts of Australia. Read more...


-----------------------------------------------

6. Could Algae Blooms Cool Down Our Oceans?


Scientists are examining algae blooms as a possible solution to for our warming oceans. They are examining ways to use phytoplankton to bind excess carbon dioxide. Researchers are contemplating how to use a new form of oceanic "organic gardening" to combat climate change without the devastating consequences of algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico . Read more...




-----------------------------------------------

7. Robert Redford & Paul Allen Spearhead Ocean Conservation Series Slated to Premiere on Animal Planet

"Ocean Warriors", a new series on ocean conservation is set to premiere on "Animal Planet" December 4th. The combined talents of Robert Redford and Paul Allen will entertain, educate, and bring more awareness to restoring ocean health. Ocean scientists, activists, and journalists will focus on highlighting ocean poaching and crime occurring around the world. Read more...





-----------------------------------------------

Be sure to "LIKE" http://facebook.com/SeaSave to ensure our "Week in Review" is delivered to your newsfeed every Friday. 

Sea Save Foundation is committed to raising awareness of marine conservation. The Week in Review is a team effort produced by the Sea Save staff to provide a weekly summary of the latest in marine research, policy, and news.

Friday, November 11, 2016

Week in Review: "Science" predicts Arctic Melting by 2045, Mysterious Sounds from the Deep, Whale Songs and More

Arctic Ocean Sea Ice Predicted to Be Entirely Melted by 2045

A scientific paper published in Science revealed the average American creates enough carbon emissions to melt 500 square feet of Arctic Sea ice annually. The scientists compared anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions with yearly September sea ice totals from 1968 to 2000 and found a strong linear relationship between the two. The resulting equation shows a loss of 33 square feet of sea ice for every metric ton of carbon dioxide going into our atmosphere. Leading oceanographers believe computer models underestimate sea loss in the Arctic Ocean, and believe of 2045 is a more realistic project for total ice loss. Click to Read More.

-----------------------------------------------

Canadian Scientists Seek to Find Source of Beeping Ocean Sounds



The residents and visitors to Baffin Island have heard of a pinging sound coming from the Fury and Hecla Straits. Area hunters are claiming the sounds are driving away whales, seals, and other marine life. The mysterious beeping sounds seem to be emanating from the ocean floor. The Canadian Department of National Defense used high-tech sensors to investigate, but discovered no definite evidence of the sounds. Click to Read More.

-----------------------------------------------

Oceanographers Study Humpback Whale Songs

Biology Letters recently published a new study completed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Scientists studied the communication of humpback whales along the coast of Maui. Humpback whales are well known for their songlike communication, consisting of drawn out, mournful melodies. Researchers analyzed two distinct elements of the whale song, pressure waves and particle motion, to determine whether whales can sense particle motion. Scientists are concerned that human induced ocean sounds could disrupt whale communication and resulting interaction. Click to Read More.

-----------------------------------------------

European Union Proposes 14 Key Actions for Sustainably Managed Oceans

The European Commission issued a press release this week focused on three key areas of international ocean governance. The European Union assessed the economic value of the world’s oceans as approximately €1.3 trillion and is taking the lead on gathering international cooperation for sustainable ocean management. Fourteen actions are being proposed to improve the framework of existing ocean regulations, reduce the pressures of human induced climate change impact, and increase scientific ocean research and data. Click to Read More.


-----------------------------------------------

Ocean Plastic Smells Like Food to Seabirds

A study published in Science Advances explains why so many seabirds are confusing ocean plastic pollution as a food source. Normally, seabirds use the chemical compound produced by algae, dimethylsulfide (DMS), as a signal for a potential food source. However, this mutualistic interaction does not benefit seabird species when ocean plastic is the cause of algae accumulation, causing the birds to consume deadly plastic. Click to Read More.
-----------------------------------------------

Climate Change Causes Widening of Indian Ocean Current


Researchers have recently determined that the Indian Ocean, Agulhas Current, is growing wider in response to global climate change. The Agulhas Current is one of the strongest currents on the planet and has a significant impact on global climate patterns. Scientists believe the widening of the current is causing regional wind intensity to become stronger, increasing the turbulence of the current. Data collected during the study show the western boundary current areas warming three times faster than the mean international rate. Click to Read More.


Be sure to "LIKE" http://facebook.com/SeaSave to ensure our "Week in Review" is delivered to your newsfeed every Friday. 

Sea Save Foundation is committed to raising awareness of marine conservation. The Week in Review is a team effort produced by the Sea Save staff to provide a weekly summary of the latest in marine research, policy, and news.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Week in Review--100 Nations Discuss Whale Hunting, Two-headed Sharks, Drones Get WiFi

1. International Whaling Commission Attendees Discuss Hunting and Sanctuary


Focus at the recent International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting ranged from discussions about accidental ship strikes, fishing gear ensnarement, hunting, poaching, scientific allowances and the economic evaluation of harvesting vs tourism. 
Seventy years ago, the IWC first convened. The international community and a successful global campaign to protect marine mammals has proved successful and today an aboriginal subsistence whaling license is required to hunt whales.
Whaling nations exploit loopholes and continue to harvest whales in large numbers.  The recent meeting found representatives from over eighty nations discussing topical issues. Additional pressure was applied to traditional whaling nations; such as Japan, Norway, and Iceland. A  proposal was introduced to institute a South Atlantic whale sanctuary.

Click to Read More. 

                                      -----------------------------------------------

2. A Scientific Review of International Whaling Regulations



The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) of the United States of America recently published, "Whales, Science, and Scientific Whaling in the International Court of Justice". The author, Mark Mangel, University of California at Santa Cruz, researched the success of whaling regulations established by the International Convention on Regulation of Whaling in 1986.
Mangel's studies suggest that the regulations fall short of their intended outcome and suggest modifications that if integrated, could yield better results.  Click to Read More.

                                        -------------------------------------------------

3. Ocean Drones May Soon Have Their Own WIFI



Recently a forty-five day oceanographic expedition to the Arctic Circle used underwater drones to explore a submerged mountain's topography flora and fauna. The drones surfaced every few minutes to send the data they had collected. However, ocean scientists are seeking for a more efficient way to communicate information complied by their autonomous, robotic fleets. Project Sunrise, which brings together forty European marine researchers and computer scientists is striving to create a vast network of underwater modems docked to wireless modems. Boosting data capacity and speed isn't the only goal of the researchers. They are also analyzing ways that would allow for all of the research devices and technology to "speak" to one another as well. The Sunrise team is using Janus, a specialized coded language, for this digital communication. Click to Read More.
                                        -------------------------------------------------

4. Could Genetic Mutations in Sharks be Due to Over Fishing?



A two-headed cat shark embryo was recently observed among other specimens. Researchers dissected the transparent egg to learn more about what may have caused the mutation. Lead scientist Valentin Sans-Coma believes the mutation was due to artifact since it was conceived "in vitro" or in a laboratory.
Many marine biologists believe there is an increase in two headed mutations in the open ocean. The implication is that these are caused by indirect consequences of shark overfishing. Click to Read More.


For additional reading, consult the 2011 study "Embryonic Bicephaly in the Blue Shark, Prionace glauca, from the Mexican Pacific Ocean."  Click to Read More.


                                        -------------------------------------------------

5. NASA Unveils Online Visualization Focused on Arctic Sea Ice Loss


The oldest sections of the frozen sheath of seawater located on the Arctic Ocean has been under serious pressure over the past twenty years due to climate change. Normally, only the newly formed sea ice would melt during the spring and summer months, but the latest research shows foundational ice to be less stable and shrinking, making the structure more vulnerable. According to NASA, only 110,000 square kilometers of older sea ice was left in September of this year. Their new online visualization tool takes the viewer on a journey that shows the changes in Arctic sea ice mass from 1984 to present day.  Click to Read More.

-------------------------------------------------

6. Australia Examines Marine Reserve Recommendations

New recommendations that would affect Australia's marine reserves have recently been announced. A marine reserve is an area of the ocean where numerous types of commercial activities are allowed, such as mining and fishing, but in a restricted way. Marine reserves can also contain marine national parks where commercial activities are banned. Currently, less than 1% of the world's oceans are no-take zones. This year the Ocean Science Council of Australia submitted a scientific report encouraging the government to protect at least 30% of the marine ecosystems. It also seeks to quantify the benefits of the continent's marine reserve to improve public perceptions of their value. Unfortunately, the most recent recommendations are advocating the removal of up to 127,000 square kilometers of marine national parks. This change would reduce the Coral Sea National Park by 25% . Click to Read More.

-------------------------------------------------


7. Big Data has Power to Transform Renewable Energy


Currently, the European Union has the world’s largest capacity for connected wind and solar energy. Now they are focusing on the “industrial internet” to create a virtual grid that will maximize the efficiency of their existing renewable infrastructure. Sensors are already being installed on wind turbines in the North Sea. This will determine how the wind and wave conditions affect the collected outcome. Collecting and analyzing this data, along with technology from 35,000 weather stations, incoming geospatial information, as well as tidal phases and equipment usage, allows researchers to “predict” future patterns while ensuring the turbines are operating at maximum efficiency. Click to Read More.

-------------------------------------------------

8. Future Sea Level Rise Predictions Result in New Marin County Laws


Marin County, located in Northern California, has been bracing itself for rising sea levels. They began working on their coastal plan almost eight years ago. A recent proposal drafted by the California Coastal Commission would drastically alter the current plan, if passed. The California Coastal Commission is identifying flood zones that match a 100-year "worst case scenario" prediction using current climate models. If the new proposal passes, it would impede the completion of ocean front repairs or renovations. Which is not well received by homeowners needing to protect their investments. Click to Read More.

-------------------------------------------------

9. Dam Removals - Scientists Project Migratory Fish Populations Will Climb


Researchers from the Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit of the United States Geological Survey are studying how dam removal will impact regional ecosystems.
Three dams built on the Maine's Penobscot River in 1830, rendered the river uninhabitable for migratory fish species, such as shad, alewives, and blueback herring.
Removal of two of theses dams was completed in 2013.  Researchers counted approximately 8,000 shad and 500 Atlantic salmon completing the upstream journey this year. Previously, less than twenty shad had passed through the dams over several decades. Scientists were also surprised to discover a previously unknown population of endangered shortnose sturgeon successfully making the trek upstream. Click to Read More.

-----------------------------------------------

Sea Save Foundation is committed to raising awareness of marine conservation. The Week in Review is a team effort produced by the Sea Save staff to provide a weekly summary of the latest in marine research, policy, and news.