September 8, 2014
Ocean Roundup: Sea Turtles Released after Swallowing Fish Hooks, UK Builds Massive Salt Marsh to Protect Coastline, and More
– Ten sea turtles that were rehabilitated after swallowing fishing hooks in the Gulf of Mexico were released into the wild over the weekend. These ten turtles are among 213 endangered kemps ridley sea turtles brought to the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies this year after swallowing fishing hooks around Mississippi. NOLA Media Group
– Sea turtle nesting was down this year in Georgia and the Carolinas compared to the previous few years, but experts say that’s not reason for concern. Sea turtle nesting is cyclical, meaning that individual sea turtles nest every few years, so this year could have been an off season for many nesters. News and Observer
– The UK has finished building a 617-acre salt marsh in its largest and most expensive coastal reclamation project in recent history. While it was designed to protect local communities from erosion and rising sea levels, some think the money could have been better well spent on other projects related to flooding. The Guardian
– A new study has uncovered the mechanics behind archer fishes’ spitting practices that’s used to take down prey. The authors found that the fish adjust the size of their mouth hole, not water pressure, to hone in on prey. BBC Science and Environment
Op-Ed:
– While the American Petroleum Institute estimates that offshore oil exploration will bring jobs and revenue to the state, this practice would endanger tourism—an industry that employs about 1 out of every 10 coastal South Carolina residents. This author argues that even under strict practices, serious ecological and economic risks remain. The State