Ocean Roundup: Morbillivirus Strikes the Florida Keys, New Species of Snailfish Discovered in Mariana Trench, and More - Oceana USA
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December 22, 2014

Ocean Roundup: Morbillivirus Strikes the Florida Keys, New Species of Snailfish Discovered in Mariana Trench, and More

Editor’s Note: In light of the holidays, this is the last ocean news round-up to be published over the next week. In the meantime, please check our Twitter channel for ocean updates. Happy holidays!

Cornish beaches in the United Kingdom have seen a large number of seal strandings this fall—about double the normal number. Scientists have not yet determined the cause of the strandings, but are concerned that this could affect their population structure. West Briton

Morbillivirus—a disease that’s killed more than 1,560 bottlenose dolphins along the U.S. East Coast since July 2013—has spread to the Florida Keys. Scientists are concerned that it could kill up to 50 percent of the Keys’ bottlenose dolphin population, since they are extremely social animals. KeysInfoNet

– A new study shows that Dolly Varden fish, a species of char found in southeast Alaska, are adjusting their migrations to find food under changing conditions from climate change. These fish are timing their migrations to sync with altered patterns in salmon spawning. Underwater Times

Researchers have discovered a new species of snailfish in the Mariana Trench at about 26,700 feet below the ocean’s surface. The ghost-like fish is now the record-holder of the deepest-living snailfish. Science World Report

– A new federal study found that coastal regions around the U.S. can expect to see 30 or more days of flooding per year by mid-century from sea level rise. The study also projected a minimum 1.5 foot increase in sea level rise by 2100, with the high estimate being at four feet. The Huffington Post