It’s Time to Strengthen, Not Weaken, Oil Spill Prevention and Response Regulations

It’s a new year. With a new year comes the opportunity for a fresh start, a way to promise to do better and turn over a new leaf.

Here in Alaska, the government is considering a fresh start for Alaska’s oil spill prevention and response regulations. Strong regulations help ensure that oil stays out of Alaska waters and off of Alaska’s coastlines.

But, I’m concerned that instead of strengthening these regulations, the government will weaken oil spill prevention and put our waters and coastline in harm’s way.

Rolling back oil spill prevention regulations would put Alaska’s ocean and coasts at risk for disaster. We can’t afford to take that chance.

Oil spills are still a massive threat to Alaska’s marine and coastal ecosystems, including in Arctic Alaska. As Arctic sea ice melts, more ships travel these northern seas, increasing the potential for a devastating oil spill. We know how harmful oil spills can be to our ocean and those who depend on it. And we know how much more damage could be done if a spill happened in the Arctic, where remoteness and harsh weather could make effective spill response all but impossible.

Alaska’s oil spill prevention and response regulations were put in place after the Exxon Valdez oil spill—which spilled roughly 11 million gallons of oil into the ocean, killing and injuring seabirds, sea otters, harbor seals, bald eagles, orcas and other marine wildlife. In the days that followed, the oil spread, contaminating more than 1,300 miles of Alaska’s coastline.

Three decades later, oil remains on some Prince William Sound beaches, despite extensive cleanup efforts. Marine wildlife—including birds, fish and whales—suffered losses that they still have not recovered from.

The Exxon Valdez was one of the worst human-caused environmental disasters of all time. Oil spill prevention and response regulations help ensure an oil spill like the Exxon Valdez never happens again.

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Maintaining strong oil spill prevention and response regulations is critically important for our ocean and for countless individuals who rely on Alaska’s healthy marine ecosystems for their livelihoods and enjoyment, including commercial and recreational fishermen, Alaskans who practice subsistence hunting and fishing, those in the tourism industry and the visitors they bring to the state, and Alaska residents who have a deep connection to the state’s waters and coastlines.

The good news? You can speak up about this critical issue. The State of Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public input on oil spill prevention and response regulations. The public comment period is an opportunity to voice our support for ocean conservation. You can take action today by telling DEC to maintain or strengthen oil spill prevention regulations.

Many Alaskans depend directly on a healthy and vibrant marine ecosystem, and all Americans recognize Alaska for its magnificent ocean and coasts. It’s in all of our interests to prevent spills and to ensure prompt effective spill response.

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Guest Blog: Setting sail into new waters – running a fundraiser is more than what it seems!

This Guest Blog comes from Juliana Corrales. She is embarking on a new and exciting challenge. Moving out of your comfort zone to progress your career is a bold but crucial step in reaching your goals.

 For four years I was able to develop as a creative in the field of marine conservation alongside a great team as part of The Reef-World Foundation. Started as an intern, developed into the Communications Manager, shifted to currently working as their Creative Consultant and, at the same time, about to enrol in a life-changing experience as part of the eXXpedition team. How have all of these things happened? I’m very sure there is not one answer, but something that has always been clear is my purpose of using my skills to positively influence human behaviour for the conservation and sustainable use of our oceans. The how wasn’t always clear, but by having a set goal I was able to see which steps would help me reach that purpose.

My role in Reef-World evolved with me and the needs of the organisation, through that process I was able to develop many new skills and combine them with the ones I brought with me. Together we created a different approach on how to communicate conservation messages in the diving industry, targeting a deeper change in behaviour. However, it came to a time where I was able to realise that we needed to move forward together, but following different paths. We needed someone who could build upon the work that we did but with a different perspective. It is never easy to part ways, changing your lifestyle all together, but when it feels right you just know it. I count myself very lucky to be able to keep on contributing to Reef-World’s work from the outside whilst being able to face new challenges that will help me grow as a professional.

© The Reef-World Foundation

My new challenge is eXXpedition. I had the honour of being selected out of 10,000 candidates to be the first Costa Rican joining the seventh leg of eXXpedition’s first-ever Round the World Voyage 2019-2020, from Galapagos to Easter Island. I’ve always loved having different interactions with the ocean and sailing was at the top of my bucket list! eXXpedition is an NGO that runs pioneering all-female sailing research expeditions to investigate the causes of and solutions to ocean plastic pollution. I knew, from the moment I accepted the offer, that this experience was going to change my life, push me out of my comfort zone and challenge me in many ways.

I haven’t even stepped a foot on the vessel and the process has already been an emotional rollercoaster! In order to be part of eXXpedition, each crew member has to contribute to the costs of making the voyage possible, travel, accommodation and insurance. Which meant that I had to run a fundraiser, something that I’d never done before. Running a fundraiser doesn’t only mean setting up a webpage; it means opening up to the world and making yourself vulnerable.

This fundraiser has pushed me to do things I wasn’t used to and given me the opportunity to incorporate many skills I had developed with Reef-World. As part of the team, being in the background and behind the camera was more my style, however, this time I had to show my face and show the world my mission. I’ve found my way through it accepting the fact that I do this for the sole purpose of bringing people closer to the ocean and in order to find potential solutions, building a network and raising awareness. It has shown me the amazing network of people I have around me; it has been an extremely heart-warming experience to feel the support and love from those people that believe in me and my cause.

 
© eXXpedition                                                                                                                                          © eXXpedition © eXXpedition_Eleanor-Church-Lark-Rise-Pictures

I accepted that it was normal to feel defeated sometimes, especially when you’re working on something that maybe you’re not the best at. You just need to stop, take a breath, and continue with a head held high. Believe in what you’re doing, why you are doing it and that by having those strong foundations you will be able to humbly continue your way and fulfil your purpose in life.

I’m still running the fundraiser and still need your help to achieve this dream. If you can donate please do, it will be greatly appreciated! If you love the idea but don’t have the means to donate then please share this campaign widely so that others can help, it will be equally valuable

Find out more about Juliana here:

www.ju-la.com

https://www.gofundme.com/f/juliana-exxpedition

https://www.facebook.com/julacs

https://www.instagram.com/jcs87/

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Ocean acidification news stream: 2019 in review

The OA-ICC news stream wishes its readers a very Happy New Year! Here are some blog stats for 2019: 1,171 posts published A total of 178,157 views 35,292 visitors representing 180 countries Thank you for your continued interest and all our best wishes for a 2020 full of exciting new papers and information on ocean […]

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An Ode to the Blobfish

2013 was a big year for me. I graduated from high school, moved to a new city and most importantly, was acquainted with the blobfish, which won the coveted “World’s Ugliest Animal” award in September of that year. I’ve always had an affinity for things that other people considered to be, well, not so cute: I am delighted by naked mole rats, I coo over hairless dogs and cats and I even go out of my way to pick the slightly misshapen fruit at the grocery store.

It’s no wonder that I quickly became obsessed with the blobfish. With their gelatinous bodies, droopy noses and perennially grumpy mouths, they are the physical embodiment of the way I feel on the inside most of the time. However, there’s much more to the blobfish than meets the eye. Here are five facts about my favorite globby guys.

1. Blobfish don’t actually look all that blobby.

There are several species of blobfish in the family Psychrolutidae, all of which are deep sea dwellers that make their homes between 2,000 and 4,000 feet below sea level. At these depths, the pressure is up to 120 times greater than at the surface, forcing blobfish to adapt. They don’t have much bone or muscle, allowing the pressure of the deep sea to provide their with body structural support. When brought to the surface, the blobfish decompresses, giving it the iconic gelatinous look that we all know and love. However, in their natural environment, they look more like other fish in their taxonomic group Osteichthyes, or bony fish. So, maybe instead of calling them blobfish, we should call them “blob-above-water-fish.”

© Wikimedia

2. They don’t have swim bladders.

In addition to being mostly skeleton-less, the blobfish also doesn’t have a swim bladder. Most bony fish possess this organ that allows them to maintain buoyancy without floating upward or sinking. Blobfish, along with many other deep sea dwellers, do not have this organ, because the pressure of the deep ocean would cause it to burst. Instead, the blobfish’s limited buoyancy comes from their gelatinous skin.

3. They don’t move very much.

Another benefit of the blobfish’s gelatinous skin is that it allows them to float above the ocean floor without expending energy on swimming. Rather than hunting for its food, the blobfish primarily floats around and swallows crustaceans as they pass by. On a personal note, as someone who mostly gets her food by waiting for it to come to me, I have nothing but respect for these lazy legends.

4. They’re most commonly found in waters around Australia.

Blobfish have rarely been observed in the wild, but we do know that they’re most common around Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. In fact, the world’s most famous blobfish can be found at the Australian Museum: Mr. Blobby was trawled during a deep sea expedition north-west of New Zealand in 2003 and quickly became an icon. Today, Mr. Blobby is preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol, which has caused his skin to tighten and his “nose” to shrink.

© Flickr CC

5. There’s a lot we still don’t know about the blobfish.

Despite their celebrity status (for a fish, anyway) we actually know very little about the blobfish. We don’t know their life expectancies, nor do we know how they mate. In fact, scientists aren’t even sure if Mr. Blobby is actually a “Mr.” at all: in 2015, Mark McGrouther of the Australian Museum told Smithsonian Magazine that because they had not dissected the blobfish specimen, it was possible that it was, in fact, female.

As we continue to make strides in deep ocean exploration, my hope is that we can learn more about the blobfish. For now, I’ll content myself with what we do know about these globby creatures, and continue to draw them on any surface I can get my hands on.

The author pictured with some of her blobfish art. © Rafeed Hussain

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OA Alliance full video- IPCC Special Report on Ocean and Cryosphere at UN Climate Week 2019 (video)

Video.

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7 Rays You Really Should Know

Have you ever walked along a beach in Florida and noticed a sign that says “Do the Stingray Shuffle?” These fascinatingly flat and cartilaginous fish species love gliding along the seafloor, so they can be easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. In an effort to protect both rays and people, many beaches have erected signs like the “stingray shuffle” warnings to pleasantly remind beachgoers to shuffle their feet along the sand as they walk through the water, so as to give any rays potentially in the area a good warning that there’s company nearby. As you enter or come near the home of animals like rays, it’s important to know tips like this in order to respect their space and keep them as happy, healthy and undisturbed as possible.

However, it may surprise you to find out just how much biodiversity there is when it comes to rays. These animals are elasmobranchs, and part of a superorder of about 600 species, referred to as Batoidea. While all of these animals can be appropriately referred to as “rays,” there are a handful of particularly iconic species to know. I’m here to introduce you to seven of these, and to be honest, they’re some of the most fabulously flat creatures to ever grace the ocean floor.

Southern Stingray

(Hypanus americanus)

© Matthrew Potenski

Reef Manta Ray

(Manta alfredi)

© Andrea Marshall / IUCN

Spotted Eagle Ray

(Aetobatus narinari)

© Nicholas Lindell Reynolds

Giant Devil Ray

(Mobula mobular)

© Aaron Goulding

Cownose Ray

(Rhinoptera bonasus)

©  Sandip Bhattacharya

Round Stingray

(Urolophus halleri)

© Adam Endicott

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

(Manta birostris)

© Guy Stevens / Manta Trust

---

And there you have it: seven incredible ray species that grace our ocean. No matter which of these is your favorite, we can all work to help protect them and the waters they call home. Join our email list today to stay up-to-date on the latest ways to help make sure these animals stay healthy and thriving.

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Alligators in the Abyss: Part 2

Connecting the oceans to land are numerous carbon highways.  These conduits bring food from land to the ocean, supporting an abundance of life.  Our group explores these carbon chains and explores some potential methods of carbon delivery to the deep.  Thus, alligators on the abyss.

At first it may seem fanciful that an alligator carcass might find its way to the deep.  However, dozens of species of alligators and crocodiles are found across the globe, in high numbers, and often in coastal areas.  Through either their normal migrating or foraging activities, or during flooding events, individuals may be found offshore in the ocean.  If one of those individuals meets an unfortunate end, it may fall to the seafloor.

A crocodile swimming in the open sea. Crocodilian species have been utilizing marine habitats more in recent years.

In prehistoric times, the impact to the deep oceans could have been even larger, as large reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs dominated the sea. Deploying a reptile in the deep sea today may reveal the animals that specialized on the carcasses of long-extinct ancient emperors of the sea.

Ancient marine reptiles such as this one dominated prehistoric oceans. Studying alligator falls today may give us insight into what happened when these large predators of the past died and sunk to the seafloor.

Earlier this year, our research group placed three alligator carcasses 1.5 miles deep on the seafloor of the Gulf of Mexico in the first-ever alligator fall experiment.  Each of the three alligators met a different fate.

The first alligator had been on the bottom of the ocean for less than 24 hours. Despite the tough hide of the alligator, scavengers quickly got through and began to gorge themselves on the flesh of the alligator. Football-sized animals called giant isopods, relatives of rolly pollys or pillbugs, penetrated the hide in this short time-frame.  This demonstrates the speed and precision with which deep-sea scavengers can utilize any carbon source, even food from land and freshwater systems.

Giant isopods made it through the tough hide of the alligator in less than 24 hours. These scavengers opportunistically gorge themselves and then can go years without eating another meal!

A little over 60 miles to the east of the first alligator, the second alligator had been sitting on the seafloor for a little over a month and a half.  All the soft tissue of the alligator had been removed by scavengers.  A small animal called an amphipod was still darting around looking for scraps, but the only thing that remained was a skeleton.  All of the soft tissue had been consumed. The spine curved just as it had been left.  A depression in the sediments indicated where the full body once laid.  The skull was turned over, likely by scavengers while picking at the flesh on the skull.

The second alligator had been reduced to a skeleton in only a month and a half.

A fuzzy carpet covering the bones of the second alligator represented a brand-new species, previously unknown to science.  These zombie worms, or Osedax, colonize the bones of many types of vertebrates and consume the lipids within.  This was the first time zombie worms had ever been observed in the Gulf of Mexico or from an alligator fall.  They also demonstrate yet another pathway in which carbon from land makes its way into deep-sea food webs.

The fuzzy carpet covering the skull is a brand-new species of zombie worms, or Osedax, previously unknown to science!

Another 60 miles east lay the third alligator.  It had only been eight days since it was laid on the seafloor.  As the camera panned to the marking device, a floating bucket lid attached to a rope like an underwater flag, it became clear that the alligator was missing.  All that remained where it had been dropped was an alligator-shaped depression in the sediments.  Drag marks in the sediment paved a path to what remained of the alligator fall.  An animal dragged this alligator 30 feet and left only the 45-pound weight and rope.  The rope had been bitten completely through. To consume an alligator, and create this disturbance, the animal must have been of great size.  We hypothesize that most likely a large shark, like a Greenland shark or sixgill shark, consumed this alligator whole.

The third alligator was missing after eight days! The depression shown here was where the carcass had once laid.

Three alligator falls in the abyss met three very different ends, from being consumed by football-sized cousins of rolly polys, to zombie worms eating their bones, to a large shark dragging it away and consuming it whole.  This research has given us a glimpse into what impact large reptiles had in past oceans, as well as the role they play today.  It is clear that deep-ocean scavengers have no qualms about successfully and quickly consuming food that originated on land or freshwater.

Read more about this research in our group’s recent publication in PLOS One: “Alligators in the abyss: The first experimental reptilian food fall in the deep ocean.”

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