September 10, 2014
Ocean Roundup: Acidification Masking Shark Smelling Abilities, New Fishery Rule to Protect Endangered Albatross, and More
– NOAA has proposed a new rule to for West Coast commercial fishermen that intends to the endangered short-tailed albatross, a seabird whose numbers are down to 1,200 individuals. The rule requires fishermen to deploy streamer lines, already required off Alaska and Hawaii, which would scare off albatross from eating bait. The Associated Press
– New research shows that seagrass may protect marine life from ocean acidification. Researchers looked at shell-forming organisms in both normal and acidic waters around seagrass, and found that the organisms thrived in acidic waters in the presence of seagrass. Science
– New research shows that coral trout’s hunting patterns may be associated with high level intelligence that was previously thought to just exist in chimpanzees and humans. Researchers found that the trout pick moral eels to help them hunt—a tactic that seems simple but is actually rather complex. Wired
– Long known to engage in cannibalism, researchers say they have finally found out why, and how, octopuses do so. Octopus has more protein-per-gram than other prey sources, and it also takes less energy to forage for, unlike other prey sources like mussels that require octopuses to expend energy opening their shells. The Dodo
– A new study found that ocean acidification may impact sharks’ abilities to forage. Researchers say that acidifying waters may impact the smooth dogfish’s ability to smell prey, and that they’re not the only species that will see this effect. The Washington Post