As a new month approaches, I began checking my calendar for the various meetings and calls scheduled in February, as one does, only to have February 2, 2020, create a huge light-bulb moment.
The reason for this is that 02-02-2020 is a palindrome. For those who are new to the term, a palindrome is a word, phrase or sequence that reads the same backward as it does forward (popular examples being madam or racecar or the ever-famous “A Man, A Plan, A Canal – Panama!”). Palindromes are about words, but being an ocean-lover, this had me wondering—what sort of palindrome-like symmetry could we find beneath our wonderful waves? For animals, symmetry can be determined by drawing an imaginary line (or lines) on the body where the pieces created look the same. For example, imagine a line going down the middle of the human body lengthwise where the two halves are a mirror image of one another. That’s what’s known as bilateral symmetry. It turns out there are four main different types of symmetry found in animals: bilateral, radial, biradial and spherical.
Additionally, there are even more ways to classify radial symmetry depending on how many identical divisions can be made. Tetramerism is a term used to describe organisms that can be divided into four equal parts, such as one of my favorite species, the sea jelly. In fact, juvenile moon jellies have been shown to reorganize their arms after an injury so that they are once again symmetrical, which is probably better for moving through the water. Pentamerism describes organisms that can be divided into five equal parts. Among ocean species, the only organisms that exhibit pentamerism are echinoderms, like sea stars, sea urchins and sand dollars. But even echinoderms aren’t always considered pentamerism—many begin as bilateral organisms and gain pentaradial symmetry as they grow to adult form. Additional forms of radial symmetry included hexamerism (six equal parts) and octamerism (eight equal parts).
Finally, there are a few ocean animals that are outside the box when it comes to symmetry. Some sponges are asymmetrical, which means they have no symmetry. Another fun exception is what we call flatfishes—they start life out as larvae with bilateral symmetry but grow up into adorably asymmetric adults. Because flatfishes spend most of their lives with one side of their bodies flat against the seafloor, they’ve decided to go rogue on symmetry. As flatfish larvae grow, they undergo a dramatic transformation where they flatten out, one side becomes pale, and one eye migrates over to the other side of the head.
As the sands of time lead us into this new decade—our own roaring 20s—many of us are reflecting on how much we’ve changed in the last 10 years.
I’ve come a long way from being a goofy 16-year-old who loves the ocean to becoming a goofy adult who is making a career out of protecting the ocean.
One thing is clear. A lot can change in 10 years. When it comes to policy, we don’t need to look beyond ocean planning in the United States.
In 2010, federalocean planningefforts were formalized when President Obama introduced an Executive Order that established the National Ocean Policy (NOP).
This was a historic moment and a culmination of work done by both the Clinton and Bush Administrations. The goal was for the United States to protect, maintain and restore the health of ocean ecosystems; support sustainable ocean uses; and increase our scientific understanding to respond to climate change and ocean acidification. The policy would achieve this by directing federal agencies to form regional planning bodies comprised of federal agencies, states, tribes and fishery management councils.
Like guests at a potluck dinner that discuss and coordinate the best options to create a delicious feast, planning body members were directed to work together to address potential conflicts and ensure ocean users can benefit from the ocean while still conserving important ecosystems. The NOP provided guidance for regions to take a holistic approach to support ocean health through the development of ocean plans.
In 2016, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic planning groups finalized their regional ocean plans that included revolutionary public data portals offering vital information on how and where people and animals use the ocean. By putting the right people and the right data around the decision-making table together, these plans help minimize conflicts and protect the environment and the interests and livelihoods of coastal communities.
As you might expect, it was not always smooth sailing. Whether it’s in one’s own life or in U.S. ocean planning, there are challenges and tests. But calm seas make for poor sailors. You can either battle against the wind and go nowhere, or you can change tack and surge on stronger than before.
Ocean planning surged on.
In 2018 the Trump Administration released itsversion of an ocean policy to guide federal management coordination and decisions. We were disappointed that climate change, addressing ocean acidification and overarching conservation principles were omitted. The silver lining was that the new ocean policy focused on empowering regions to address the ocean and coastal challenges unique to their location. The policy also supported increasing federal availability of ocean and coastal data for states and regions. Several other key ocean planning principles were also included like supporting regional ocean partnerships to address the most pressing ocean issues, publically accessible regional ocean data portals, coordination across federal agencies and ocean leadership and interagency coordination through the Ocean Policy Committee.
Today, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regional ocean partnerships (ROPs) are continuing to advance their ocean plans and building out their respective ocean data portals which each now has well over 4,000 ocean use and environmental data layers. The West Coast ROP held its inaugural meeting at the end of 2019 and is focusing on coordination with state, federal and tribal partners while building out their own regional ocean data portal. The portal once focused mostly on state ocean issues, but thanks to new capacity, it can be expanded to address regional challenges. Ocean and coastal challenges are unique to each region and the Gulf Coast ROP is hard at work tackling issues like data and monitoring, wildlife and fisheries, education and engagement, water resources, community resilience and habitat resources that are critical to advancing Gulf state interests.
At Ocean Conservancy, we’re excited to see what the new decade brings for ocean planning.
We’re excited to see the Regional Ocean Partnership Act making its way through Congress with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The bill seeks to enable ROPs to receive federal funding to conduct scientific research, improve coastal resilience and address conservation and restoration management challenges unique to each region. If this piece of legislation becomes law, it would solidify Regional Ocean Partnerships’ role as collaborative partners with federal agencies and help to secure more predictable funding to further advance collaborative, regional ocean efforts.
Looking back, United States federal ocean planning has come a long way over the years. When the idea was first conceived nearly two decades ago there were dozens of agencies with jurisdiction over different portions of ocean management that didn’t coordinate with one another—causing a mess on the water. It was like everyone showing up to a potluck with pasta salad!
Just 10 years later, the idea became a stand-alone policy that revolutionized how we use our ocean for the better. It brought together industry and conservation, and it built bridges across the political aisle getting support from the Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump Administrations. Of course, there were some growing pains along the way, but who hasn’t gone through some challenges over the years? As with us, the important thing is that the policy persisted through change and I’m confident that it will keep going and growing with us into the future.
After reflecting on ocean planning, I’ve come to realize that perhaps it’s a bit like a reflection of our selves … Or at least what I hope to see in myself one day—resilient, strong and collaborative. I can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store for the ocean and for us.
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As we prepare for Super Bowl Sunday, it’s easy to make parallels between football and our environment. Take the relationship between the quarterback and their receivers. If your QB is struggling, your receivers will likely be struggling as well. Or, if you have struggling receivers, your QB is probably not going to be playing their best. The same can be said about our ocean and the freshwater systems that feed into it.
Take Florida, for example. It’s clear that what happens in the Everglades impacts our ocean, and vice versa. If the Everglades is struggling, our ocean will be struggling as well. And if our ocean isn’t at its best, the Everglades struggles as a result. In Florida, the health of our fresh and salt water systems is intertwined, from Ocean to Everglades.
Like all good teams, we’re constantly looking for ways to improve both the Everglades and our ocean. Luckily, there are a few initiatives in Florida that will do just that. Here’s a look at three water quality initiatives in Florida that we’re working to see pushed across the goal line and into the end zone:
Help, however, is on the way. The Clean Waterways Act, introduced by state Senator Debbie Mayfield, would tackle some of the major issues facing Florida’s waterways by adopting recommendations made by the blue-green algae task force and backed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. By tackling pollution from stormwater, septic tanks and nutrients and fertilizers, The Clean Waterways Act takes an important step to ensuring the journey of fresh water through Florida is a clean one that benefits our communities and environment.
Fortunately, state Senator Joe Gruters and state Representative Chip LaMarca have introduced a bill to turn the tide on cigarette butts in our waterways. The bill, if passed, would prohibit smoking within the boundaries of a Florida state park and allow counties and municipalities to decide if smoking should be allowed on our local public beaches. Removing cigarette butt pollution from our beaches in Florida is paramount to ensuring they remain as beautiful as they are.
Ocean Conservancy is committed to ensuring the health of Florida’s ocean and coastal environment, and these three initiatives are a great step in the right direction. As the state legislature considers each of these initiatives, we will continue to monitor and advocate that they pass policies that will preserve Florida’s iconic natural environment.
Improving water quality in Florida is a team effort. There isn’t a single play that will save our Everglades and ocean. But if we come together, put together the right plays and work hard every day, we can make a wave of difference and help put #TeamOcean in the winner’s column.
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Last February, Ocean Conservancy became the Ocean Partner for the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, the first-ever ocean partner in Super Bowl history. Our partnership helps bring attention and action to the health of Florida’s coasts for this year’s Big Game. Like football, protecting the ocean is a team support. As we don our game faces for the Super Bowl this weekend, we wanted to spotlight some of the ocean’s biggest players. These animals are the MVPs along Florida’s coast.
Manatee
Every team needs a star player known for both brawn and beauty. Sure, their sluggish pace has earned them the name “sea cows” but what manatees lack in speed they make up for in style. Throughout history sailors had looked down at these graceful swimmers and mistaken them for mermaids. The taxonomic order for manatees and their cousins the dugong is Sirenia, derived from sirens, a nod to their mistaken identity. Without a doubt, manatees would be the face of the team making the fans swoon with their cute looks.
Manatees are also tough. The closest living relatives to manatees and dugongs are elephants. They share their rough skin and have vestigial fingernails on their flippers that resemble their evolutionary cousin. Manatees can weigh up to 1,200 pounds. To keep up that size they have eat roughly 10% of their body weight every day, around 120 pounds of food. Bring forth the nachos, that’s one big pre-game meal!
Brown Pelican
I’m sure the rules of football prohibit players who can fly, but that doesn’t keep us from wanting to see a brown pelican take the field. Pelicans can hold about 3 gallons of water in their bill with its signature stretchy throat pouch. Their bill would not only be useful to carry a football down a field, it also plays an important role in helping the pelican eat. Contrary to what you may have seen in Finding Nemo, pelicans do not use their bills as a storage space for fish. It helps them drain the water out before they tip their mouths back and swallow their delicious meal. With such an amazing asset, brown pelicans would be able to scoop up a ball and deliver it down the field in no time.
Brown pelicans know how to get in formation. They generally gather in large flocks for most of their lives. In flight they tend to form a long straight line or a “V” shape. They will synchronize their wingbeats as they fly just above the water’s surface. Brown pelicans know how to work together as one with a team of their best mates.
Loggerhead Turtle
As most hares can attest, turtles are wise, steady, and sure winners in a long game of football. The loggerhead turtles are named for their large heads, which some people think resemble logs. They need that extra noggin space to house their powerful jaws which allow them to bite through the shells of crustaceans or mollusks. Early in their life loggerhead turtles spend their time using that powerful set of chompers to feast and hang out in the open ocean where the temperature is agreeable and there are fewer predators.
The true Mr. Worldwide, loggerhead turtles are the most widespread species of turtles in the world. They don’t reach sexual maturity until they are 35 years old. When it is time to breed they’ll make long migrations, crossing the ocean to return to the beach where they hatched as a baby. One of the most common breeding sites is on the southeastern coast of America. These incredible hometown heroes will sometimes journey thousands of miles just to get back to the place of their birth.
You!
Each one of these ocean creatures needs you to continue to thrive. From ocean plastics to shipping to pollution, these animals face a lot of threats to their survival. We want to recruit you for #TeamOcean for the wellbeing of all our players! You can make the winning play by taking action to defend our ocean:
Commit to Quit the Cutlery and say no thanks to single-use plastic utensils
Tackle the spread of single-use plastic by pledging to Skip the Straw
New study on the role of biological particles in the removal of surface microplasticsEven though it might not be visible to the naked eye, microplastic has now been found in most parts of the ocean. But the concentrations near the surface should be much higher, considering the enormous amounts of waste that reach the ocean every year. Where is the other microplastic? Using model simulations, researchers from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel have investigated the global role of marine snow in the removal of surface microplastic. The results have now been published in the international journal Frontiers in Marine Science.
from "Future Ocean" – News https://ift.tt/36rmj84 https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Last June, we told you about a climate change-focused court case in which 21 children and young adults sued the U.S. government, arguing that they have a constitutional right to a climate capable of supporting life. Earlier this month, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a setback to the plaintiffs when a three-judge panel, in a split decision, dismissed the case.
The young plaintiffs in Juliana v. U.S. are acutely aware of the impacts of climate change, including ocean-related impacts from sea-level rise, ocean acidification, ocean warming and deoxygenation. Having absorbed more than 90% of the warming caused by greenhouse gases, the ocean bears the brunt of climate change. The range of specific impacts includes stronger hurricanes, diminishing Arctic sea ice and profound shifts to ocean ecosystems, including the die-off of coral reefs. These changes threaten wildlife, imperil fisheries and jeopardize the health of coastal communities and economies.
Juliana plaintiffs asserted that they—and all of us—have a constitutional right to a climate system capable of supporting life. They argued the U.S. government is violating that right by authorizing fossil fuel extraction and subsidizing the fossil fuel industry. The plaintiffs asked the court to declare that the government is violating the Constitution and to order the government to stop supporting the fossil fuel industry and prepare a plan to ratchet down harmful emissions.
When we wrote about this case last summer, the Juliana plaintiffs were fighting to get a federal court to hear their claims. On January 17, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals handed down its decision. The court agreed with the plaintiffs that climate change is increasing and accelerating, that the U.S. government understands the risks of climate change and that the government has taken affirmative steps to support actions that contribute to climate change. Nonetheless, the court ordered the case to be dismissed on the grounds that federal courts could not offer an effective remedy.
The majority of the panel found that it was beyond the authority of the federal courts to “order, design, supervise, or implement” a plan that would decrease fossil fuel emissions and combat climate change. Instead, the court concluded that the plaintiffs must make their case to the political branches of the government—Congress and the executive branch—or to the country as a whole in order to change the government through the ballot box. One judge on the panel dissented and would have allowed the case to go forward.
While this particular case has hit a major roadblock, the overall fight against climate change is gaining traction, including among a growing number of young people around the world who are seeking to hold governments accountable through advocacy, legislation and litigation. Young people in Colombia, for example, won a landmark lawsuit in 2018 aimed at reducing deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, and they continue to apply pressure to hold their government accountable. Meanwhile, a youth-led coalition in Utah was able to pass the first official recognition of climate change from their state government. Young climate activists are growing in both number and organization, and they represent a powerful new force for change.
True to form, the Juliana plaintiffs have vowed to keep pursuing their case. Lawyers representing the children and young adults have pledged to ask the entire Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals—not just a three-judge panel—to reconsider the ruling to dismiss the lawsuit. The youth plaintiffs themselves have stressed their desire to keep up the fight, saying they intend to move forward and win in the courts. You can learn more about the case and the youth plaintiffs by visiting Our Children’s Trust.
Here at Ocean Conservancy, we’ll continue to follow this lawsuit as the young plaintiffs press their case. And whether it’s in the courts, in Congress, in the executive branch or on the global stage, we’ll continue our work to combat climate change and address its impacts on our ocean and coasts.
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The natural world all around us is truly magnificent. And, just when you think you have heard it all—a new scientific discovery has you in a state of awe and wonder.
The latest fin-tastic discovery comes to us from researchers studying sharks in the waters surrounding Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Shannon Corrigan, an evolutionary biologist at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, and her colleagues recently published a report in the journal Marine and Freshwater Research. Their initial research was meant to uncover exactly when a single species of walking shark evolved, but through the DNA sampling process, they were able to identify four brand new walking shark species! That means we now have nine species of walking sharks out there to know and love!
We LOVE science!
So, how exactly walking sharks, well, walk?
Also called “epaulette sharks”—walking sharks ‘walk’ using their strong pectoral and pelvic fins, which allows them to forage for food under rocks and coral. They can even take short stints above water in the open air as they move between pools that form on reef habitats during low tide to search for prey.
Sharks are evolutionary superstars!
Sharks have been swimming in the Earth’s ocean for nearly 450 million years—this predates dinosaurs! And many species of sharks haven’t changed much for millions of years. So the discovery that sharks continue to evolve—shows that they are able to adapt and change—as their environment, climate and surroundings change.
Genetic research revealed that walking sharks are one of the newest groups of sharks. All nine species of walking sharks evolved or branched off from their nearest ancestor in the last 9 million years. But, why?
Scientists point out a few things that could help explain the relatively rapid pace of evolution in walking sharks. First, they live in warm shallow reefs, which are very dynamic places over time that have required the sharks to adapt with changes. Secondly, they don’t tend to stray far from where they were born, which creates separates populations and means more opportunities for them to diverge.
During mass extinction events, carpet sharks, the group that includes walking sharks, were among the “most affected” animals, researchers wrote. Sea levels rose and ocean temperatures dropped, pushing the sharks to migrate to warmer waters.
Researchers continue to study walking sharks—but very little is known about them—how overfishing, climate change and pollution are impacting their habitat and survival.
The discovery of four new species of walking sharks is one of the many reasons that we should continue working together to protect their ocean world. Who knows what new species will be discovered next? We won’t find out if we don’t protect the ocean and the animals that call it home.
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Agencies Awarded for Conservation Efforts at Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas
Ventura, CA — Today, Marine Conservation Institute will present a Blue Park Award to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and the National Park Service at a 4:00 pm ceremony at the Santa Barbara Zoo. The award recognizes the collaborative efforts of state and federal managers in meeting the highest science-based standards for protection and management of the northern Channel Islands Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
“The northern Channel Islands MPAs are some of the oldest in California’s comprehensive statewide network,” said Becky Ota, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Habitat Conservation Program Manager. “The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is proud of our collaborative conservation accomplishments with our state, federal, and community partners both at the Channel Islands and throughout the State to adaptively manage California’s 124 MPAs.”
“Our goal is to recognize MPAs that deliver real results for marine life conservation and inspire others around the world to protect 30% of the ocean’s most important places by 2030,” said Dr. Lance Morgan, President of Marine Conservation Institute. “We hope that Blue Park recognition of the northern Channel Islands MPAs provides a shining example of regional marine conservation efforts and encourages others to protect our oceans for generations to come.”
“Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary protects one of America’s most treasured marine environments for current and future generations to use and enjoy,” said Chris Mobley, Superintendent of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. “We are extremely proud to receive this award in recognition of our collaboration with partners to promote marine conservation.”
“Channel Islands National Park is honored to be acknowledged for its stewardship of the waters within the park. We take pride in our nearly four decades of scientific efforts which contributed greatly to the forming of the Channel Islands MPAs and our partnerships in education, resource monitoring, and resource protection to protect these important areas well into the future,” said Ethan McKinley, Superintendent of Channel Islands National Park.
About the Northern Channel Islands MPAs
The northern Channel Islands MPAs protect some of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. A network of 13 MPAs covering 318 square miles was established by the State of California and the federal government to provide a refuge for sea life and as investments in the future for education, recreation, and enjoyment.
About Blue Parks
Marine Conservation Institute works with existing and new MPAs to ensure they are well- designed, effectively managed, protect our oceans and deliver on their commitment to protect marine biodiversity for generations to come. MPAs that meet these standards can achieve a Blue Park designation, the highest award of conservation excellence. Blue Park Awards were established by the Marine Conservation Institute to encourage governments to safeguard marine wildlife, secure critical habitats, promote resistance to climate change, and ensure the beauty of our oceans for future generations.
About Marine Conservation Institute
Marine Conservation Institute, founded in 1996, works in the U.S. and globally to seek strong protection for 30% of the ocean by 2030—for us and future generations. Our focus on protecting the ocean’s most important places follows several lines of work: identifying and advocating for strong marine protected areas; improving laws and other tools to better conserve marine biodiversity; catalyzing effective conservation by recognizing and elevating the best marine protected areas as Blue Parks; and accurately reporting on conservation efforts with our Atlas of Marine Protection (MPAtlas.org).
If you share my obsession with food videos, you may recall the winter of 2017 when “Salt Bae” (aka Nusret Gökçe) came into our lives and left his mark forever in our hearts. His salt sprinkle technique made him world famous and launched a thousand memes declaring him the saltiest in the land.
While his technique is impressive, I’m here to dethrone him. I humbly submit to the council of the Internet that we bring his reign to an end and crown a new Salt Bae: the marine iguana.
Hear me out: the marine iguana lives in the waters of the Galápagos, feasting on algae, swimming around, looking fine and basking in the sun on the sea shore. They are the only lizard to adapt to this envious aquatic life. Scientists believe their ancestors drifted out to sea on a piece of debris and landed on the island paradise they call home. Over time they developed their beach bods: flattened tails to move through the water, sharp pointy teeth to get algae off rocks and claws to help them cling to rocks to fight strong currents. They evolved into majestic vegetarian sea dinosaurs with attitude.
Biologically, that sweet seaside lifestyle comes at a price. Living and eating in the ocean makes marine iguanas salty—literally. Such a high intake of salt would be fatal for a lizard but the marine iguanas have adapted in a unique way: they sneeze salt.
I’m not making this up. Marine iguanas have glands which remove the salt from their blood. They expel the collected salt in forceful nose excretions which look to us humans like snorting or sneezing.
Lacking Kleenex technology, marine iguanas often get hit with their own snot rockets. You’ll often see a white crust of salt on their heads and snouts. It’s almost like the make up Kiss wears, but made with showers of salty nose goo. Take one look at them and you can see they rock that salty style with pride.
Marine iguanas haven’t always gotten the love they rightfully deserve. Charles Darwin referred to them as the “imps of darkness.” While I’d claim this name only increases their rock star status, I’m not sure Darwin meant it as a compliment. Elsewhere in his writings, he referred to marine iguanas as “repulsive” and “disgusting, clumsy lizards.” The name-calling seems a little unfair, given that those “imps of darkness” helped to develop his theory of evolution.
So, let’s make up for Darwin’s insults and treat marine iguanas like the royalty they are. It’s time for them to take their rightful place on the salty thrown. Humans merely sprinkle salt. Marine iguanas were born in it, molded by it. They consume so much salt, they have to sneeze it. Doesn’t that make these majestic ocean dwellers, the true Salt Baes? It does in my heart anyway.
As a rule, you should not touch marine wildlife. But you especially should not touch marine wildlife that can kill you.
Our ocean is full of toxic creatures, from the blue-ringed octopus to the lionfish, but the stonefish holds the title of most venomous fish in the sea. The name “stonefish” refers to one of several fish in the genus Synanceia within the family Synanceiidae. If we take one further taxonomic step backwards, they are in the order Scorpaeniformes, which includes some other well-known ocean residents, like lionfish, lumpsuckers and sculpins.
Stonefish are found in rocky or muddy bottoms of marine habitats in the Indo-Pacific region. They have excellent camouflage—their bodies are typically brown with orange, yellow or red patches and are textured to resemble the surrounding rocks or coral. You could swim right by a stonefish and never know it was there! Stonefish use this to their advantage while hunting, and will wait for fish to swim by then swiftly attack and swallow their prey.
Now, you might be thinking … ”I don’t love the idea of being next to the most venomous fish in the world and not know it.” And you’re right! You definitely don’t want to be surprised by this guy. The good news is that stonefish use their spines defensively, NOT offensively, so the fish won’t go out of its way to attack you.
If you step on the fish however, it’s a different story. Stonefish have 13 spines lining its back that release venom under pressure. If you inadvertently step on a stonefish thinking it’s a harmless rock, it will pop up its dorsal spines and release venom from two sacs at the base of each spine. Unsurprisingly, the more venom that is injected, the worse it is for you. Stings result in terrible pain, swelling, necrosis (tissue death) and even death. One victim wrote online (which was later reported by ABC News) that after being stung on the finger, it was like “having each knuckle, then the wrist, elbow and shoulder being hit in turn with a sledgehammer over the course of about an hour.”
The good news is there have been very few deaths (that we know of). However, stings require immediate medical attention. This involves heat immersion, which helps denature the venom, and injection of anti-venom. But the best bet is to avoid stings in the first place! If you’re in an area that could be home to stonefish, make sure to:
Wear water shoes
Always look where you walk
Shuffle your feet along the bottom to avoid stepping directly on the fish. This shuffle also helps scare away stingrays, which you don’t want to step on either.
From the Atlantic to Pacific, a diverse set of seabird and shorebird species speckle our ocean’s coasts. From protecting their babies before they hatch to ensuring their hatchlings grow into healthy, thriving individuals, the level of commitment that seabird mothers show to their offspring is remarkable. Take a look at these spectacular photos of five marine bird species, and get ready to be inspired by these marvelous moms of sea and air!
While this least tern hatchling may have big dreams about the world it will see one day, it also knows the best place to be right now is under its mother’s wing. Okay … maybe it’s not so sure, but this mother is determined to make sure her chick grows to be the healthiest little flyer around.
While all of these species are equally inspiring mothers, they also all face a multitude of modern-day threats. From marine debris to climate change and beyond, there are threats facing the birds of our blue planet’s coasts that they can’t face alone. They are all worth protecting, and we are the ones who can help make sure their future is one of a clean and healthy ocean. Add your name to our email list to stay updated on all the latest ways to help take action and support Ocean Conservancy’s conservation initiatives—together, we can work to keep these precious creatures safe today and in the years to come.
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All animals breathe. How they breathe, however, varies.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a human. This means that you breathe by inhaling oxygen (which your body need to function) and exhaling carbon dioxide as waste. Air flows in through your nose or mouth and into your lungs where oxygen is transported through blood to the rest of your body. (Side note: are you breathing more heavily as you read this? Just me?)
In order for us to breathe, we need air. So, what does that mean for animals that live in the ocean?
Like us, fish also need to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide in order to survive. But instead of lungs, they use gills. Gills are branching organs located on the side of fish heads that have many, many small blood vessels called capillaries. As the fish opens its mouth, water runs over the gills, and blood in the capillaries picks up oxygen that’s dissolved in the water. Then the blood moves through the fish’s body to deliver the oxygen, just like in humans. All bony fish also have a bony plate called an operculum, which opens and closes to protect the gills.
Fish aren’t the only undersea organisms to use gills, however. Mollusks and crustaceans also have gills that operate the same way by pulling oxygen out of the water as it runs over the gills. Some animals even display their gills outside of the body: the name “nudibranch” (commonly known as sea slugs) comes from Greek and Latin words meaning “naked gills.” Nudibranchs often have feathery, brightly-colored ones that are exposed on their backs.
It’s hard work to breathe underwater. The air we breathe has an oxygen concentration of 200,000 parts per million. Water, on the other hand, only has a concentration of 4 to 8 parts per million. That means fish need to run a lot of water over their gills to get the amount of oxygen they need to survive. Also, gills are very efficient in extracting the oxygen the fish needs!
Breathing gets even harder when the oxygen concentration decreases. You may have heard of hypoxic zones, also known as “dead zones”, where low levels of oxygen make it impossible for animals to survive. Although they can occur naturally, hypoxic zones can also be created by human activity. When high-nutrient pollution, like farm runoff, enters the ocean, it can cause algal blooms that then die and decompose, causing low-oxygen zones. In 2019, runoff caused massive dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico.
Just like we need clean air to breathe, fish need clean water to breathe. We can help gilled organisms thrive by keeping their ocean habitat free of pollutants.
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If you have followed our work here at Marine Conservation Institute, you will know that we are incredibly proud of our Blue Parks. You may have wondered how exactly these Blue Parks become Blue Parks.
What are the Blue Park Awards?
The Blue Park Awards are part of an initiative to safeguard marine biodiversity by assembling a strategic network of marine protected areas (MPAs) that represent all marine habitats in each biogeographic region. The awards serve as an incentive for governments, managers and partner organizations to ensure their MPAs meet science-based standards for effectiveness. Since 2017 we have awarded sixteen MPAs around the world. These Blue Parks include MPAs ranging from the massive and incredibly well known Reserva Marina de Galàpagos, which spans 138,000 km2, to the tiny Chumbe Island Coral Reef Sanctuary, which covers 0.7 km2.
Together, we can recognize all of the effective MPAs around the globe! To identify outstanding MPAs, we rely on nominations from MPA staff members, scientists who work within MPAs, partner NGOs and other individuals associated with MPAs. If you are involved with an MPA that you believe meets the Blue Park Award criteria, available here for review, then please think about nominating them for a 2020 Blue Park Award! Once an MPA is nominated, it is evaluated by the Blue Parks team, and an extensive evaluation report is drafted. Then, the evaluation report along with all supporting documents are assigned to the appropriate members of our Science Council – these experts from around the world make the award decisions.
How do I nominate an MPA?
The nomination process involves answering questions about the MPA, including questions about size, biodiversity value, management, regulations and enforcement. We also ask that you submit official documentation of the ecosystems, biodiversity, endangered and endemic species in the MPA, including maps, monitoring reports and scientific papers. Finally, we also need documentation of MPA regulations, management plans and enforcement plans. The nomination process should take approximately 30 minutes, if you have already gathered the management plans and any other documents to upload. We encourage you to review the nomination questions prior to starting the process. The 2020 nomination period is open until 31 January 2020; if you are ready, click here to nominate an MPA.
Without the nomination of deserving MPAs by individuals like you, we would not be able to carry out this important mission to set a high standard for MPAs and recognize those that are meeting the standard. We truly believe in the power of MPAs to safeguard life in the sea; we have seen the benefits they accrue for wildlife and the communities which are dependent on them.
After months of deliberations, the United States Senate passed the bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (SOS 2.0) on Thursday, January 9. The bill still has a long road ahead before it can become law, but this represents a win for our ocean! SOS 2.0 passed by unanimous consent, which means that not a single Senator—Democrat or Republican—objected to its passage.
What does Save Our Seas 2.0 do?
You might recall that the bill’s predecessor, the Save Our Seas Act, was signed into law in October 2018. SOS 2.0 is much more comprehensive and ambitious than its predecessor, in particular because the final, Senate-passed version of the bill places a greater emphasis on reducing plastic waste. With the added plastics reduction provisions, SOS 2.0 brings us several steps closer to the comprehensive, science-based approach that we need to tackle ocean plastic pollution.
Here are a few reasons that SOS 2.0 represents a win for our ocean:
It proposes measures to bolster international engagement and cooperation to address marine debris, and directs the executive branch to prioritize ocean plastic pollution and take on a leadership role in international forums;
It includes a comprehensive assessment of plastic waste in the United States, including opportunities to reduce the creation of plastic waste and an analysis of recycled content standards;
The bill takes important steps to address critical recycling infrastructure needs by requiring an EPA strategy for improving domestic waste management and directing funding to waste management improvements through new grant programs; and
The bill will help address several key knowledge gaps—ranging from plastic pollution data in the United States, to the effects of microplastics on food and drinking water, to the impacts of lost and derelict fishing gear. This in turn will help inform what policy interventions are needed beyond SOS 2.0.
By unanimously passing this bipartisan piece of legislation addressing ocean plastic pollution, the Senate has sent a clear signal that this is a long-term policy priority for the United States. Most notably, the bill sets up more ambitious action to come.
Ocean Conservancy is grateful to Sens. Whitehouse, Sullivan, and Menendez for their continued leadership, and to Sen. Udall for his important contributions to improving the bill.
What comes next?
Now that the bill has passed the Senate, it needs to be passed by the House of Representatives before it can be signed into law. We look forward to working with ocean champions in the House of Representatives to ensure that the momentum continues.
Let’s be clear: SOS 2.0 is certainly a step forward in several key areas, but it’s not a cure-all. With an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean from land every year, plastic pollution affects all of us. It impacts more than 800 marine species, from the tiniest plankton to the largest blue whales, and is found everywhere from Arctic ice to deep ocean trenches. In this way, it is one of the most visible, most prolific threats facing our ocean, and it will take much more than one piece of legislation to turn the tide. Ocean Conservancy is working to move us towards the lasting solutions that we will need to tackle the ocean plastics crisis.
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