Friday, August 25, 2017

Week in Review August 25, 2017: 300,000 Farmed Salmon Escape into Pacific Waters, Plastic Ban Lifted in National Parks and More...

1. More Than 300,000 Farmed Atlantic Salmon Accidentally Released into Puget Sound

salmon aquaculture, salmon pen farming, pacific northwest, atlantic salmonAn aquaculture company, blaming the solar eclipse, on a net pen break, released 300,000 farmed Atlantic salmon into Puget Sound, Washington State. Washington is the only west coast state that allows farming of the non-native Atlantic salmon in net pens. The release could hurt the native fish populations, which include Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. When farmed Atlantic salmon escape into the wild, they compete with native populations for food and introduce disease and parasites.
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2. Ban on Single Use, Plastic Water Bottles in U. S. National Parks Removed

yosemite national park, yosemite park, yosemite
An Obama-era policy for national parks to voluntarily restrict plastic water bottle sales and encourage reusable water containers has been struck down by the Trump administration.  
Sea Save Foundation Editorial: Our oceans are accumulating discarded plastic at an unprecedented rate. This reversal will result in additional nonbiodegradable blight in some of the most pristine and sacred parks in the world. It will also result in additional plastic in our waterways and eventually our oceans. Also alarming is that this decision is indicative of the lack of concern about plastic pollution on land in our oceans.
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3. Microplastics Found in "Half of Deep Sea Creatures"


microplastics, polyester, deep-sea sampleA study of deep sea invertebrates (starfish and snails) has found that 48 percent of them contained microplastics. This is consistent with studies of shallow water animals. Microplastics are considered any plastic under 5 mm in size. They are eaten by plankton and fish, are bioaccumulated as they move up the food chain, and are ultimately ingested by humans.
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4. More than 80 Whales a Year Are Killed By Ship Collisions off West Coast of U.S.

whale collision with boat, whaleA new study has found that more than 80 whales, including blue whales, humpbacks and fin whales, are killed in boat collisions off of Washington State, Oregon, and California each year. Although the scientists were conservative with their estimates, they say that the actual numbers could be higher since many whales are struck and then sink. Scientists hope this study will convince shipping companies to expand the areas in which ships slow down to reduce collisions with whales and other wildlife.
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5. Many Coasts Losing Their Kelp Forests Due to Warming Ocean


The latest victim to the warming ocean due to climate change is the coastal kelp forests around the world. These include kelp forests off the Gulf of Maine, Mediterranean Sea, southern Japan, Australia, and California. In addition to the warming ocean, invasive seaweed is the likely culprit in Maine, and in Australia, Mediterranean, and Japan, tropical fish have been eating the kelp. A study found that 38 percent of kelp forests have declined over the past 50 years.

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6. Endangered Whales Won’t Reach Pre-Hunting Numbers by 2100

fin whaleA new Australian study has found that by 2100, the populations of Antarctic blue, fin and southern right whales will not have recovered to their pre-whaling numbers. The humpback whale will reach their pre-whaling numbers by 2050. Humpbacks are currently at 32 percent of their pre-whaling numbers because they breed more quickly than the other whales in this study. The researchers looked at 2 million catch data records from 1890 to 2012. 
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7.  Delaware Governor Opposes Offshore Drilling


oil spill, oil rig, offshore oil platformDelaware Governor John Carney is opposed to drilling for oil and gas off the Delaware or Atlantic coast. In a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Carney stated that “60,000 jobs support the fishing, tourism and recreation industries in Delaware, and that coast-related activities contribute almost $7 billion in economic production to the state.” The letter was sent in response to the Trump administration’s request for comments on the proposed five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program.  
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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, August 18, 2017

Week in Review August 18, 2017: Thousands of Dead Sharks Confiscated in Galapagos, Fish Eating Plastic, Dead Zones Increase Unprecedented, and More...


1. Thousands of Illegally Caught Sharks Confiscated in the Galapagos

finned sharks, dead tuna, shark finning, Galapagos
A Chinese vessel illegally fishing in the protected waters of the Galapagos Islands has been confiscated, along with thousands of sharks300 tons of seafood overall. The boat was caught by chance, and goes to show how much illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing occurs even in marine sanctuaries.  Many countries, like the Galapagos, lack the resources to police illegal fishing boats. The arrested crew could face up to three years in prison.
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2. Fish Mistake Plastic Bits for Food


anchovy, anchovies, anchovy school, kelpA new study has found that anchovies mistake plastic debris for food because it smells like it. Over 50 species of fish in the ocean have been found to ingest plastic.  Scientists have found that fish that eat plastic have “reduced activity rates and weakened schooling behavior, as well as compromised liver function.” That doesn’t bode well for humans, who bioaccumulate the plastic in the fish and seafood that they eat. By 2050 the ocean is predicted to have more plastic than fish.
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3. Dead Zones Occurring at Rate Not Seen in 94 Million Years


Dead Zone off of Gulf of Mexico, NOAA, dead zones, dead zone, Gulf of MexicoOxygen-depleted “dead zones” are increasingly being found in our oceans. When oxygen in the oceans fell at similar rates some 94 million years ago, it caused a mass marine organism extinction. Dead zones occur when excessive nutrients from fertilizers and sewage accumulate in the ocean and cause algae blooms. When the algae die, they suck up oxygen. Marine organisms in dead zones either move on or die from the lack of oxygen.
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4. Indonesia to Turn Plastic Waste Into Road Tar


Indonesia plastic waste, Indonesia plastic on beach, plastic wasteIndonesia, the world’s second largest plastic polluter after China, consumes a million bags per minute. The government has unveiled a new plan to put a dent in the amount of plastic the country dumps at sea: using it to make roads. The shredded and melted plastic waste is added to road tar. Some environmentalists are skeptical and think that more effort should be made to reduce use of single-use plastics.


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5. Costa Rica to Become First Country to Ban All Single-Use Plastics


By 2021, Costa Rica aims to become the first country in the world to eliminate single-use plastics, including plastic bags, water bottles, forks, beverage lids and coffee stirrers. Costa Rica also plans to be carbon neutral by 2021 by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.  
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6. SeaWorld Killer Whale Matriarch Euthanized


seaworld, killer whale, Kasatka, Kasatka euthanized
SeaWorld killer whale Kasatka, the matriarch featured in the documentary Blackfish, was euthanized Tuesday due to having lung disease. She was 42 years old and came into captivity when she was 1 years old. She had 4 calves, 6 grand calves and 2 great grand calves. Ten killer whales in captivity in SeaWorld San Diego. Last year the company agreed to end its controversial orca captive-breeding program.

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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, August 11, 2017

Week in Review - August 11, 2017: Federal Agencies Concur: Climate Change Will Have Dramatic Impact, Genetically Modified Salmon, Mako Sharks Threatened, Offshore Drilling Stalled and More...

1. Multiple Federal Agencies Concur: Climate Change will have a Drastic Impact

Since 1980, the average annual temperature in the U.S. has risen quickly and “recent decades have been the warmest of the past 1,500 years, according to a sweeping federal climate change report awaiting approval by the Trump administration.”  The draft report is by scientists from 13 federal agencies.  The report notes that thousands of studies by tens of thousands of scientists all report that human activities are primarily responsible for climate change.  The National Academy of Sciences has signed off on the report.
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2. Shortfin Mako Sharks Are Threatened by Overfishing

shortfin mako shark, mako shark, sharkThrough a satellite tag tracking study, scientists have concluded that shortfin mako shark mortality rate is higher in the western North Atlantic than what fishermen report. "The tracking data also showed these mako sharks entered the management zones of 19 countries, underscoring how critical it is for countries to work together closely to manage and conserve these long-distance oceanic travelers."
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3. First Genetically Engineered Salmon Sold in Canada

genetically engineered salmon, salmon
After a 25 year wait, 4.5 tons of genetically engineered salmon has been sold in Canada.  The Atlantic salmon is engineered to grow faster and reaches market in half the time (18 months) of non-genetically engineered salmon.  Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Canadian authorities have approved the salmon for sale, but neither country requires it to be labeled genetically engineered.
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4. How Will Animals React to the 2017 Solar Eclipse?

With the great American solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 on the way, many people are curious how animals will react to the total solar eclipse.  Many animals awake during the day start their night time routine during totality.  Daytime fish have been observed hiding during the eclipse while their night counterparts come out.  Whales and dolphins have been observed at the surface 5 minutes before the eclipse and they stayed to watch until 5 minutes after the eclipse.  Those who use the app iNaturalist can enter their own observations from before and after the eclipse, no matter where the eclipse is seen from.



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5. Only 100 Companies Are Responsible for 71% of Global Emissions


The Carbon Majors Reports states that only 100 companies are responsible for 71% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1988.  This “pinpoints how a relatively small set of fossil fuel producers may hold the key to systemic change on carbon emissions. ExxonMobil, Shell, BP and Chevron are identified as among the highest emitting investor-owned companies since 1988.”  Not all news is bad, as companies like Apple, Facebook and Google have committed to 100% renewable power.
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6. Genetically Engineering a Super Coral

coral reef, corals
A scientist is looking into genetically engineering the algal symbionts that corals need to survive.  Coral bleaching is a problem oceans-wide due to ocean temperatures rising.  The Great Barrier Reef between 2014-2016 lost a quarter of their coral reefs.  The scientist used a virus to deliver heat resistant genes to a symbiont.  Whether or not this method gets used in a natural ecosystem remains to be seen, as its use will be very controversial.

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7. Salmon in Danger of Losing Federal Protection

The Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association is calling the cost of saving imperiled salmon in the largest river system in the Pacific Northwest unsustainable and is turning to the Trump administration to sidestep endangered species laws. The group is encouraged by recent Trump decisions that favor development over threatened and endangered animals. The irrigators association is frustrated with court rulings they believe favor fish over people and Trump could bring stability for irrigators, power generators and other businesses that rely on the water.
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8. Grassroots Resistance and Low Oil Prices Stall Offshore Drilling 


North Carolina's Governor, Roy Cooper, announced his opposition to offshore drilling. He stated "It's clear that opening North Carolina's coast to oil and gas exploration and drilling would bring unacceptable risks to our economy, our environment and our coastal communities – and for little potential gain," Cooper said from Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. "As governor, I'm here to speak out and take action against it. I can sum it up in four words: not off our coast."
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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, August 4, 2017

Week in Review: International Talks Begin: How Should We Regulate Open Ocean?, Mexico: Dolphin Shows Banned, Largest Dead Zone in History: Gulf of Mexico and more...

1. Nations Start Talks Aimed at Protecting the High Seas


bluefin tuna, tunaThe United Nations diplomats have started talks to protect the high seas.  The high seas equate more than half of our oceans and are beyond the jurisdiction of any one country.  After two years of talks, diplomats are taking steps to negotiate a treaty creating marine protected areas.  They will have to negotiate how much to protect and how to enforce the new rules.  Many would like 30 percent set aside as reserves, and the U.N. nations have already agreed to at least 10 percent.
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2. Mexico City Bans Dolphin Shows


“Mexico City just passed a set of laws that prohibits performances, therapy and scientific research involving captive dolphins.”  Fines will be 113,000 to 300,960 pesos.  Those housing dolphins have three months to comply with the new laws. Dolphin Discovery Six Flags Mexico is rated “sixth worst dolphinarium in America.”
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3. Largest Ever Dead Zone Found in Gulf of Mexico


dead fish, fishThe meat industry is being blamed for the largest dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Toxins from fertilizer and manure from companies like Tyson Foods are causing algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico.  When the algae dies, it uses up the oxygen in the water column and the animals there flee or die from lack of oxygen.  NOAA is going to announce that at least a 8,200 square mile area (the size of New Jersey) dead zone has been found.
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4. Marine Sanctuaries and Monuments - Open Call for Public Comment

national marine sanctuaries logo

The Department of Commerce has extended the public comment period to August 15, 2017 for the review of our National Marine Sanctuaries and Marine Monuments.  There are 11 marine protected areas in the U.S. and 5 marine monuments including the vast Hawaiian Papahānaumokuākea area of 582,578 square miles. Comment here



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5. Arctic Iceberg is Troubling for Sea Level Rise

Petermann glacier, glacier, iceberg, Greenland ice sheet
Researchers are more worried about the iceberg the size of 3 Manhattans that broke off of an Arctic glacier than the Delaware-sized iceberg that broke off of Antarctica recently.  “You could call it the canary in the coal mine. If that big glacier there is changing quickly, and it is, it's a worrying sign for what's happening in the rest of Greenland.”  Land-based glaciers of Greenland are responsible for global sea-level rise.  The Petermann glacier is 10 percent of the Greenland ice sheet and it alone melting could raise sea levels by one foot.
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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.