2014 - Page 27 of 51 - Oceana USA

Meet the Dusky Shark: A Species that Needs Your Help to Literally Get Off the Hook (Photos)

You may not have heard of the dusky shark, a bronze-blue colored species found in warm coastal and pelagic waters around the world. While they may not be as famous as the favored great white or tiger sharks, dusky sharks are just as fascinating: These apex predators can live to be 40 years old, grow … Read more

Ocean News: Sharks Seized from Poachers in the Gulf of Mexico, Elusive Jellyfish Makes Rare Appearance, and More

– It turns out that sharks may be confusing surfers for birds, according to a study that examined a previous deadly shark attack. That study found that the motions made by kite surfers puts them at particular risk. Discovery News – For the first time in 70 years, a massive Drymonema dalmatinum jellyfish has been … Read more

Outcry of Opposition Grows towards Seismic Airgun Approval along the East Coast

The public outcry of opposition towards seismic airgun testing has only continued to grow since the Obama administration approved seismic airgun testing along the East Coast earlier this month. Last week, Members of Congress representing Maryland and states from Virgina to Georgia—states that form the majority blast zone—wrote two letters to President Obama and urged … Read more

Ocean News: Mercury Levels Rising in Surface Waters, Penguin Species Threatened by Habitat Degradation, and More

– According to a new study, mercury levels in many of the world oceans’ surface waters have tripled due to human activity. Because mercury drains into the ocean from mines, coal-fired plants, and sewage, mercury levels are higher in surface waters compared to the deep ocean. The Guardian – In a win-win for whales and … Read more

Miami’s True Nature Seafood Company Fined $1 Million in Seafood Fraud Case

It turns out Oceana isn’t the only one looking into seafood fraud; just this week, a huge seafood fraud bust in Florida was announced. And thanks to President Obama’s pledge to tackle the issue, we may see additional efforts to stop seafood fraud and illegal fishing in the future.  In a press release issued on Tuesday, … Read more

Photos: Oceana Launches Expedition to Balearic Seamounts

Earlier this week, Oceana launched an expedition to document three seamounts located between the islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, all of which belong to the Balearic Islands. Using an underwater robot known as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), a team of Oceana marine scientists will capture footage at depths of up to 3,280 feet. … Read more

Video: Diver Films Southern Right Whale Encounter Underwater

While diving along South America’s eastern coast, diver and undersea specialist on “National Geographic Explorer” Justin Hofman came across a southern right whale and her calf — one of the rarest marine mammals. Hofman and National Geographic were granted special permission to swim with these gentle giants, and captured his experience on video as he … Read more

Ocean News: Gray Whales Showing Signs of Recovery, Gulf of Mexico Fish Lesions Linked to BP Oil Spill, and More

– A team of researchers that’s been monitoring gray whale populations off California for several years say that their numbers are increasing. Marine observers have spotted 431 gray whale mothers and calves so far this year as they make their annual migration to the Arctic. UT San Diego – Four fishing areas of the Gulf … Read more

Photos: Rashida Jones, Cobie Smulders, and Angela Kinsey Help Protect Belizean Reefs

A trio of Hollywood celebrities recently took their star power to Belize to help Oceana protect the largest reef in the Western hemisphere. Cobie Smulders (“How I Met Your Mother”), Rashida Jones (“The Office”), and Angela Kinsey (“The Office”) traveled to coastal Belize, where they raised awareness for this delicate ocean ecosystem and promoted Oceana’s … Read more

Video: Massive Barrel Jellyfish Caught on Camera

In recent years, record numbers of barrel jellyfish have swarmed UK waters by the billions. These jellyfish are massive—stretching nearly 3 feet wide with tentacles that can extend for 6 feet. But in a recently released video, a diver off the coast of UK waters swam next to what may be one of the biggest … Read more