September 30, 2014
Ocean Roundup: UN Sounds Alarm on Mangrove Disappearance, Brazil to Triple Marine Protected Areas, and More
– Brazil is planning to triple its Marine Protected Areas from 5.5 million hectares to over 17.5 million—a project that’s worth more than $18 million. The projected is intended to benefit the 43 million people who live along Brazil’s coast by securing a local food supply, maintaining water quality, and increasing coastal resilience. MercoPress
– A new U.N. Environment Report warns that mangroves are disappearing faster than other forest ecosystems from land conversion, development, and pollution. Mangroves trap carbon, act as excellent storm barriers, and provide shelter to young marine life, among other ecological functions. The Associated Press
– A new study found that bottlenose dolphins, like several other marine mammal species, can perceive magnetic fields, which may influence their migration. Scientists placed dolphins in pools with both magnetic and nonmagnetic barrels to see how they reacted. Phys.org
Long Read:
– Florida’s official marine mammal, the manatee, is celebrated by many for the economic gains it provides to the state in tourism, while perceived as a nuisance to many others. As the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviews removing manatees from the Endangered Species List, this article looks at conflicting perspectives on manatees. NPR
– Chesapeake Bay health is in an acute state of flux right now: On the bright side, sturgeon are appearing to make a slow comeback, while rockfish numbers are down and an invasive plant—once thought to be eradicated—is reappearing. This article takes a look at the many issues facing the nation’s largest estuary. The Washington Post