Ocean Roundup: Shark-Eating Dinosaur Fossils Discovered, Germany Paving Way for Cheaper Wind Energy, and More - Oceana USA
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September 15, 2014

Ocean Roundup: Shark-Eating Dinosaur Fossils Discovered, Germany Paving Way for Cheaper Wind Energy, and More

– According to a study published last week, scientists have found fossil evidence of the first semi-aquatic dinosaur. Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, known to prey on sharks, is the largest predatory dinosaur known to roam Earth— even bigger than T. rex specimens. The Washington Post

– Even though coral reefs seem to sit on the ocean floor soaking up nutrients effortlessly, new research shows that’s not quite the case. Using tiny hairs, coral reefs make “rip tides” to bring nutrients closer and push out toxic elements. Science

– Over the weekend, six new shark and ray species received new international protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora (CITES). This new protection limits the take and trade of these species, many of which are exported for the shark fin trade, and requires that fishermen within the 180 nations under CITES be required to obtain permits to hunt sharks for their meat and fins. The Washington Post

Long Read:

– Germany is one nation leading the world in renewable energy sources, and will soon be getting 30 percent of their energy from renewables—twice as much as the United States. Their push for clean energy, especially wind energy, is bringing the cost down for turbines and setting an example for other nations that wind energy can be cost effective. The New York Times

Op-Ed: 

– Whales have held pieces in human history as both “wonder” and subsistence. In this article, the author looks at the ethics behind fin whale hunting in Iceland and vows that humans can do better to stop Iceland from this brutal practice. The New York Times