News

Fisherman Saves Humpback Whale Off the Coast of California

Featured Image Credit: justgiver.wordpress.com

One lucky whale was rescued by a fisherman last month. The incident occurring off the coast of Central California while a crew was fishing for eels. The fisherman, Sam Synstelien, jumped into the rescue the trapped humpback whale.

The whale had a thick rope wrapped around its tail and back. The rope was limiting the whale’s ability to swim correctly. That’s how the fishermen spotted the rope. The whale was swimming in an odd way which warranted a closer look.

Synstelien jumped from the boat into the water and swam towards the whale. Once he was close enough he started cutting the rope away from the whale. Eventually, he was able to completely free the whale from the entanglement.

Everyone involved, including the whale, survived the incident. However, according to officials jumping into the water was unnecessary and may be dangerous. According to a spokesman, “We’ve had people die trying to get in the water, and just last year, we lost one of our responders. Even though it seems like it’s a very stressful situation, we usually have days, weeks, sometimes even months to find these animals and get this gear off.”

If you see a whale in distress, then please call the local marine mammal hotline.

Read more from the source.

Guest Columns

Hurricane Michael Affects Oyster Populations

Featured Image: purdue.edu

Oyster farming has become an industry that supports many local fishermen along the Gulf of Mexico. Especially near the northmost parts between Florida and Louisiana. Local fisheries are important to local wildlife. Although the two groups can sometimes be at odds, many fishermen work hard to keep the ocean in their area clean because they realize that cleaner waters lead to healthier fish and oysters.

The rising price of oysters has allowed many local fishermen to continue their work in the community. However, the recent hurricane season has caused some major damage for these fishermen.

Hurricane Michael hit the coast with massive force. The devastation was everywhere, including offshore oyster beds. Unlike fish, oysters are immobile and are not as adapted for such intense conditions. Especially the farmed oysters that are raised in structures off the bottom.

The intense blow comes after a continuous decline of habitat for these oysters. The water wars in many places, but especially the Apalachicola River have led oyster populations to the brink of disaster. Without the freshwater input from rivers, oysters seem to struggle.

Unfortunately, this combination of factors has left oysters, wild and farm-raised alike, in a difficult situation. Hopefully, researchers and farmers can work together to turn the population decline around. However, it is not looking good for now.

Read more from the source.

News

This Species of Coral Reef Might Actually Survive

Featured Image:waikikiaquarium.org

Researchers at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science have discovered a unique immunity gene that could be key to coral reef survival in the future.

The gene was found in the cauliflower coral’s genome. Around 30% of the genome was unique in comparison to other similar coral species. Most of those unique genes were related to immunity functions.

This species may become an important part of coral reef survival in the future. According to researcher Nikki Traylor-Knowles, “This coral is traditionally thought of as a weed, and yet it may be one of the last corals to survive environmental changes such as climate change.”

A strong immune system will be key for the survival of this species. It is likely that this coral species will survive for a longer period of time based on its diversity of immunity genes. Without this diversity, the coral is left without an effective way to defend itself.

As you likely know, many coral species around the world are dying in massive numbers. This “weedy species” of coral is a reason to hope for the long term survival of coral reef habitat.

Read more from the source.

News

Manatee Twins Spotted in St. Petersburg, Florida

Featured Image Credit: Britini LaVine via. Fox 13

Earlier this month, a momma manatee and her two twin babies were spotted in Florida. The trio is an extremely rare sight in the wild.

Typically, manatees only give birth to one calf. The reason is that mother’s only have a limited number of available resources and focusing all of their attention and effort into one offspring is a more effective way to reproduce. The birth of two calves is rare, but exciting. That indicates that the mother may have enough resources to support two young calves.

The trio was spotted in Bayboro Harbor in St Petersburg, Florida. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute this trio is a “rare sight.” FWC tried to share some insight as to why it is rare on their Facebook page, but apparently there is not much data on the survival rate of twin calves in the wild.

Everyone is hoping that these two calves will be able to be supported by their mother. For now, FWC will keep a close eye on these animals.

Manatees are rebounding across their entire range, but protections are still in place to protect the delicate population.

Read more from the source.

Guest Columns

Endangered Sea Turtles Released Back into the Wild

Featured Image Credit: www.fisheries.noaa.gov

Earlier this month, a group of endangered sea turtles were released back into the wild. The eight turtle’s were Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles which are endangered species.

Each of the turtles was initially captured by fishing hooks. Although it was accidental, the hooks caused deep wounds to all of the sea turtles. After a long recovery, each of the turtles was thrilled to enjoy the ocean waters again. The release happened on the Mississippi beach of Pass Christian.

According to the mayor of Pass Christian, Chipper McDermott, “It was a perfect day. It really was, and those turtles looked like they were glad to get out of here too.”

These turtles were lucky. Many times, turtles that are caught by fishermen are not as lucky. The hooks can be difficult to get out when handled by untrained hands. The fishermen that caught these turtles called trained officials. The trained staff at IMMS were able to safely remove the hooks. After that, the staff monitored the progress of the sea turtles as they regained their strength. Within a few months they were able to release the turtles.

Releases like this are extremely important to the endangered turtle population. If you happen to catch a sea turtle while fishing, then please report it to the proper authorities.

Read more from the source.

News

Thousands of Octopus Spotted off the Coast of California

Featured Image Credit: QUARTZ

Generally, marine biologists think of octopuses as solitary animals. The eight-armed animals are rarely seen in groups but that idea has recently challenged. One event off the coast of California changed the minds of many scientists.

On October 23rd, scientists spotted a gathering of thousands of octopuses. The event was only the second of its kind that scientists have observed. But the first sighting in Costa Rica was not nearly as larger.

According to Chad King, the lead scientist on NOAA’s Nautilus vessel, had this to say about the discovery, “This has never been discovered on the West Coast of the US, never in our sanctuary and never in the world with these numbers. I’ve never in my career come across something like this, where these could potentially be nursery habitats.”

As with many discoveries, this discovery happened by accident. The crew was finishing a 35 hour expedition in Monterey when they happened upon the scene. Based on the brooding animals, the researchers believe that the congregation was made up of females fastening their eggs on to rocks deep beneath the ocean’s surface.

Scientists will need to find more of these events before they can determine exactly what is happening. It is an amazing event that requires further study!

Learn more from the source.

News

Man Steals 84 Loggerhead Sea Turtle Eggs

Featured Image Credit: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky/Business Insider

Recently, a Georgia man was prosecuted for stealing endangered turtle eggs from the beach. Lewis Jackson is a secondary offender that has been convicted for stealing the same kind of turtle eggs in the past.

Unfortunately, the black market surrounding wildlife is popular. Criminals are caught vandalizing the natural wonders of our world for a large black-market payday. According to Georgia DNR’s Law Enforcement Division, these turtle eggs can sell for as much as $25 per egg. Many of these criminal activities are difficult to track, but the arrest of Jackson signals that there is hope for our wildlife.

The 61 year old was harvesting loggerhead sea turtle eggs illegally from nests on Sapelo Island. Under the protection of the Lacey Act, no one is allowed to take or transport any endangered species. The Loggerhead sea turtle is endangered, so their eggs are also protected.

Back in 2012, the first conviction of Jackson resulted in 6 months of jail time. He had been caught with 150 eggs.

This time, the judge issued a larger sentence. Jackson will serve 21 months in prison for this offense. Jackson was caught with dozens of eggs. Hopefully this sentence will discourage other poachers from harming our wildlife in any way.

Read more from the source.

Conservation

Scientists Work Across Borders to Protect Marine Life

Image Source: Alert Diver

Marine animals do not recognize the borders that humans have created for political purposes. An animal that lives in U.S. waters does not get an alert when it has crossed into international waters or the waters of another country.

Although the animals do not recognize international boundaries, scientists do. Unfortunately, these borders can severely impact the ability of scientists to do their job well. Species typically need to be studied throughout their range, but what happens when their range overlaps borders?

In the past, scientists have generally accepted this limitation. However, recently Cuban and American scientists have begun to collaborate together. It is an amazing step that will help all of the marine life that frequent the water off the coast of both Cuba and Florida.

Image Source: Alert Diver

Progress is starting to show that it is worth the effort. One scientific journal, The Bulletin of Marine Science, recently dedicated a whole issue to the collaboration of scientists across the US/Cuban border.

One conservation biologist, Joe Roman, had this to say about the recently published issue, “[it] celebrates Cuban marine science and conservation efforts, while recognizing that improved relations and increased tourism and trade could put some natural areas at risk. Joint research shows promise that Cuba, the U.S., and other countries can work together on regional conservation efforts.”

Hopefully, scientists can continue to work across borders to help protect species that live in our oceans.

To learn more about these recent scientific efforts click here.