– Scientists say that the Gulf of Maine is warming 99 percent faster than the world’s oceans. This presents serious issues for fisheries, as many commercial important species like cod, herring, and northern shrimp are moving to colder waters. CBC News – Blasting fishing, an illegal practice of blasting seafloor habitat to maximize catch sizes, … Read more
If you spent this past Labor Day weekend at the beach, the chances are that you saw a shorebird—like a willet or sandpiper—wading in the sand, scurrying from waves or poking its bill into the surf zone to look for food. Shorebirds may not be as appealing as charismatic mega fauna you’d encounter at the … Read more
This Saturday marks the first World Shorebird Day, a day to celebrate these beautiful birds and raise awareness for their conservation. Shorebirds nest and migrate along beaches and grasslands, and are known to have some of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom. They’re an incredibly diverse group of birds, consisting of plovers, oystercatchers, … Read more
– NOAA recently made amendments to its bluefin tuna management plan in an effort to reduce the number of bluefin tuna killed by commercial fishing vessels. The new rules say that commercial fishermen cannot catch giant bluefin tuna—fish longer than 81 inches—in the Gulf of Mexico or western Atlantic. NPR – The Western and Central … Read more
In a move that will help to turn the tide on seafood fraud, the California legislature passed a bill (SB 1138) late last Friday evening that will help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions for their health and for the health of our oceans. The Senate passed the bill in a vote of 25-10, directly … Read more
Any time you spot a marine mammal in the wild is a special occurrence—simply from observing a dolphin at the beach or kayaking alongside a manatee—but sometimes, they put on a really good show for you too. Late last month, a Pacific white-sided dolphin delighted boaters in the Puget Sound when it leaped from the … Read more
On September 14, 2014, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will add seven sharks and rays to Appendix II, meaning that global trade of these species will be restricted. At Oceana, we work to protect marine species from overexploitation every day, so we’re thrilled about the new … Read more
It’s not often that rare, deep-sea creatures present themselves to scientists in plain sight. But in a video captured last month during Nautilus Live, a five-month expedition that’s mapping and documenting seafloor ecosystems around the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, an elusive dumbo octopus in the Gulf delighted scientists when it swam right in … Read more
– Japan’s annual dolphin hunt began earlier this week, despite objection from many environmental groups that call the hunt “inhumane.” The catch involves driving dolphins into a secluded bay and then killing them, and will continue through February. The Guardian – The endangered population of killer whales in the Puget Sound, known as Southern Residents, … Read more
– The Chesapeake Bay experienced their eighth-largest dead zone this summer since record keeping began in the 1980s, according to Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources. Officials say this signals larger issues with Bay health, and that much more work is needed to reduce nutrient input and pollution. The Washington Post – In great news for … Read more
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