New species of carnivorous sponge
Meet Chondrocladia lyra, the harp sponge. A new species of carnivorous sponge from the deep-sea off California. C. lyra is called the harp sponge because its basic structure, called a vane, is shaped like a harp or lyre. Each vane consists of a horizontal branch supporting several parallel, vertical branches. Source: mbari.org
We know a lot about the climate
As part of a great piece debunking climate change denier strategy #2 “exaggerate the uncertainty” Dana Nuccitelli has a nice brief on the key facts that we do know about climate change (with supporting links): First of all it’s important to note that while there will always be uncertainties associated with any area of scientific [...]
Reversing the life cycle
There is a great piece in the NYT today about the classic marine biology paper “Reversing the life cycle“, that describes the discovery that a small hydrozoan (a cnidarian, related to corals, jellyfishes and sea anemones) can reverse it’s life cycle, something unheard of until the mid 1980s. After more than 4,000 years — almost since [...]
Kook Jamie O’Brien rides sea turtle
Oy vey! One of the world’s most famous free surfers and tube riding master, Jamie O’Brian, has created a massive controversy in Hawaii (and elsewhere) by posting this picture on his FB page: Not cool Jamie. At least ride an adult!
What does the election mean for national ocean policy?
Answer: no big changes at NOAA, where the agency will try to consolidate all the new policies it developed during Obama’s first term. But what congress and the White House will do is more complicated. One of my big concerns about a Romney win, was the loss of Dr Jane Lubchenco, who heads NOAA. In [...]
Progress on shark conservation
There has been some good news (and a little bad news) in the shark fishing regulation world recently. I am especially happy about the announcement by NOAA that it will greatly limit shark fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic ocean, primarily to reduce catch of ducky dusky and black tip sharks (more [...]
Rangiroa spur and groove
A dramatic spur and groove fore reef structure on the south side of Rangiroa, French Polynesia. Photo by Dr. Andy Bruckner. See more photos from the Living Ocean Foundation’s Tuamotu Islands, French Polynesia cruise here.
Mark Hixon’s lionfish Tedx
This is a talk by Marine Ecologist and reef fish ecology expert Dr Mark Hixon of OSU. I love it! Mark and I apparently have a lot in common. I love my job too. But the special knowledge it gives you – the painful and needless loss of the ocean’s biodiversity – can be a [...]
John Boehner’s discouraging view of climate science
An editorial that just went up at the WaPost challenges house speaker John Boehner’s position on climate change. If I could make one political wish, it would be that this issue be de-toxified. I wish conservative politicians were not forced by their voting base and campaign funders to make preposterous statements about climate change and [...]
Mayor Bloomberg makes a case for climate change in politics
Below are some excerpts from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s piece, making the case for addressing climate change in our national politics and for Barack Obama. Note Bloomberg was the commencement speaker at UNC last spring. The devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to New York City and much of the Northeast – in lost [...]
Science is the key to economic growth
A nice op-ed by Neal Lane in today’s NYT, however, IMO Obama’s record on support for science is mixed and could be improved. Mr. Romney seems to have lost sight of the critical role of research investments not only in developing new medicines and cleaner energy sources but also in creating higher-skilled jobs. The [...]
Small wonders photo contest winners – amazing
Brittle star (8x). Dr Alvaro Migotto; University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil /Courtesy of Nikon. see the rest here
Walking on water
My three daughters and one of my dogs, in the sound behind the Outer Banks, in Avon, NC. Dec 2011 by me.
Climate change 101 lecture readings, video lectures and resources
This is the assignment and the resources I gave to the students in my Marine Ecology class last week for today’s lecture. Enjoy! Let’s focus on first learning what climate change is and how it effects the physical and chemical properties of the ocean: What is the greenhouse effect? What are greenhouse gases? Which are [...]
Dolphins “protect” snorkeler from shark
Pretty neat video. Dolphins have long been known to protect humans in the water from sharks. They instinctively chase away sharks with high-pitched noises and general harassment. However, it must be noted, it is very unlikely that the cameraman was in danger. The hammerhead shark was likely just being curious and checking him [...]
From climate change to social change
Friend of SeaMonster, Bruce Caron was trained as a social anthropologist and an urban cultural geographer. Through the New Media Studio and the New Media Research Institute, he is realizing the goal of bringing new tools and skills to the public to help democratize the technological advantages of the digital revolution.
Hurricane Sandy update
I’m getting word that the ocean is already washing over Highway 12 north of Rodanthe. I fear Sandy is going to cause extensive flooding and damage on the Outer Banks. Monday’s full moon, the huge size, slow movement, and position of this storm and the warmth of the Gulf Stream are all aligning for maximum impact. [...]
Climate of doubt
Related to the Climate Silence of both of this years presidential candidates is a successful campaign to confuse the public about the reality of climate change. See a great documentary R movie on it that aired Tuesday night on PBS HBO:
This is one tough Mako shark
These photos of a shortfin mako shark are amazing (source). We found one dead shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus on the pirate fishing vessel we boarded in the Galapagos in 2011. They are more impressive alive. HT to Dr Isabelle Cote AKA @redlipblenny Punching above her weight: The pugnacious Mako refused to be intimidated by the [...]
Silence of the lambs
Iv’e been doing my best to avoid all coverage of – even mention of – the elections that are upon us. I made the mistake of tuning in to the second debate (online) and I watched in astonishment as both candidates talked for many minutes about coal, oil, energy and oil prices without ever mentioning [...]
Scraping the seafloor smooth
The editorial below is from the NYTand references a new study in Nature (Puig et al 2012). As described by Lucas Laursen: Deep-sea trawling smoothes out the wrinkles of canyons on the continental slope, making marine mountainsides look more like ploughed fields, changing the habitat of deep-sea creatures…For almost a century, fishing fleets have trawled [...]
Is it too late to be a marine biologist?
This morning I got this email from a SeaMonster reader: I am the 26 year old daughter of an entomologist and horticulturist who has finally found her calling in marine conservation and a frequent reader of Sea Monster, and have decided to go back to university and get another degree in Biology in order to [...]
