Featured Image Credit: Wikimedia
By Emily Persico
The results are in! Jolly old Kris Kringle is not someone you want to mess with this time of year… or ever. Not only does he rule the roost when it comes to rowdy children, but he also knows how to put oceanic items in their place.
Otters: NICE
In yet another year of being adorable, otters have landed themselves at the top of Santa’s “Nice” list. Check out this year’s otter-ly adorable news here.
Sharks: NICE
They might not always be as cute as otters, but these sea predators have been trying to redeem themselves this year after decades of living with a bad reputation. About 273 million sharks are killed each year by humans. Very few sharks ever kill humans. These guys are in need of a morale boost, so no coal for them this year. Sharks are friends, not food. Read our story here.
Centipede: NAUGHTY
This terrifying creature is as naughty as it looks. Scolopendra cataracta is the only centipede able to swim. It’s fangs are able to pierce right through skin and transmit a highly toxic venom. Need we say more? Read more about it here if you still don’t believe us.
Olympia Oyster: NICE
This tiny little oyster has held up against a lot of threats in recent years, including an imposing, invasive oyster that tried (but failed) to take over its territory. Now, in the age of climate change and ocean acidification, the Olympia Oyster shines a rare, positive light in its ability to withstand harsh acidic conditions.
Sunscreen: NAUGHTY
Sunscreen went from naughty to nice this year, when scientists discovered that some chemicals found in sunscreen are dangerous for both you and corals. When you buy sunscreen next year, search for bottles with “oxybenzone” and avoid them like the plague.
Microplastics: NAUGHTY
Sunscreen isn’t the only thing polluting our oceans. Microplastics are on the naughty list this year. Hopefully by next year they will have disappeared from skincare products altogether.
Noise Pollution: NAUGHTY
Noisiness is polluting our oceans this year, landing it solidly on Santa’s Naughty List. Many sea animals can see and communicate with each other over long distances using sound, and human noises are disrupting their conversations.
Humpback: NICE
Humpbacks are making their come-backs. They were as nice this year as ever, saving countless helpless creatures from killer whales at no apparent gain to themselves. Read more about their selfless acts here.
Blue Whales: NAUGHTY
One blue whale got himself into some monumental trouble this year, and gave a bad name to the rest of his crew. Blue whales are the largest animal ever. This year, one of the big ones (47 feet long) got himself stuck onshore, making him the largest animal ever to be beached.
Kemp’s ridley: NICE
From the largest to the smallest, the Kemp’s ridley is the world’s smallest sea turtle and also the most endangered. It’s cute and, this year, it belongs on the Nice List.
Vaquita Porpoise: NICE
The vaquita “little cow” porpoise follows in a similar fashion as the Kemp’s ridley. It is just 120 lbs, tiny for a cetacean, and it is the rarest marine mammal in the ocean. It needs all the gifts it can get this Christmas!
Irukandji Jellyfish: NAUGHTY
Not everything tiny is nice. The smallest jellyfish on the planet also happens to be one of the most poisonous. Keep your distance from this guy this Christmas (that is, if you can see it).
Ocean Activists: NICE
From zoos and aquariums, us and you, anyone who fights for the ocean through consumer action, positive beach-going practices, and by educating themselves deserves a spot on the Nice List this year.
Happy holidays from Awesome Ocean!