December 31, 2014
Ocean Roundup: Florida Manatees See Better Year in 2014, Links between Fish Fins and Human Hands Discovered, and More
– Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are typically found in the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. East Coast, but one of these endangered sea turtles recently stranded 5,000 miles from its home off the UK. Scientists say this turtle was likely cold-stunned with a drop in water temperature, and was carried across the Atlantic via the Gulf Stream. The Telegraph
– Florida’s manatees fared better this year than they have in recent years, with 361 manatee deaths this year. Last year was a record year, with 811 manatee deaths—mostly from red tide and boat strikes. Florida Today
– It’s long been understood that human hands evolved from fish fins, but researchers didn’t exactly understand how, until now. In a new study that focused on gar fish, scientists were able to find genetic links between fins and human hands. The Washington Post
– Vietnamese seafood exports are expected to reach $8 billion in 2015, according to federal seafood officials. Seafood exports, including shrimp, tuna, and bivalves, have become one of the nation’s top five exports. The Fish Site
Long Read:
– Two years ago today, Royal Dutch Shell’s oil rig, the Kulluk, ran aground near Kodiak, Alaska—showcasing the difficulties of oil exploration in the Arctic. In this long read, The New York Times traces some of Shell’s history of the Kulluk, and reflects on what occurred on that December day. The New York Times