The Scanner: Not About Copenhagen Edition - Oceana USA
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December 18, 2009

The Scanner: Not About Copenhagen Edition

Though we’ve been primarily reporting from Copenhagen this week, believe it or not, there were some other interesting ocean-related happenings. Check ’em out:

This week in ocean news,

…Fishery managers in Washington State predicted that 2010 will be a big comeback year for chinook salmon, with nearly half a million salmon (only 80,000 of which are wild fish) estimated to swim up the Columbia River next spring. It would be the largest run in the river since 1938.

…Using an underwater robot near Samoa, scientists have recorded the deepest underwater erupting volcano ever seen, at 4,000 feet deep. 80 percent of the earth’s volcanic activity occurs in the sea (!) but this is the closest scientists have ever gotten to an eruption. Researchers will use the recording to study how deep-sea life is able to survive in such a harsh environment.

…In yet more evidence that cephalopods may be the coolest creatures in the sea, scientists have observed octopuses carrying coconut shells as temporary protective shelter, which is the first recorded example of tool use in invertebrates. The video at above link is very cool. Peek-a-boo!

…A 22-year-old Ohioan named Katie Spotz became the latest crazy person brave adventurer to attempt a solo row across the ocean. She will row 30 miles a day from Senegal to French Guiana, and could become the 110th rowboat to cross one of the oceans in the last nine years. Let’s hope she packed plenty of snacks.