It’s been two weeks since I found myself talking with a great crew over at the National Geographic Society. The topic was oceans, more specifically artificial reefs, and to be honest I was begging for something to get me back in the swing of discussing our seas. Well, 14 days later, a layover in Denver, [...]
Our planet is an intriguing concoction of variables that meld together for successes spanning the organization of life (species, populations, communities, and ecosystems). It is literally an evolutionary process that is ecologically driven. And as a genotypic sex determined species, we seem to have an inherent fascination with the mysterious adaptive significance of environmental sex [...]
It’s probably not much of a limb to go out on, but I’m pretty sure there is a clear majority and mandate by Americans to halt whaling, let alone lend official support and endorse such actions by other nations. And I think I may enter the frigid waters and tackle our own policies regarding indigenous [...]
I’ll be perfectly honest…I’ve been sitting on this essay from Conservation Biology for the last week or so as I mulled over my approach on breaching this topic. At one point I envisioned the title as Torn Between Ocean Science and Ocean Conservation; clearly a manifestation of the dilemma with which I was trying to [...]
An organization that delegates [tries to] policy without any foreseeable recourse at their disposal is simply a Think Factory. They ‘THINK’ they can get offenders to comply merely on the basis of suggestion. Perhaps this tactic works in the world of science fiction when the wave of a Jedi’s hand is all that is needed [...]
[Atlantic bluefin tuna]…the adult breeding population had declined to 10% of what it had been twenty years ago, when regulation of the taking of these great ocean rangers began. The population as a whole had been reduced by more than half, and most of of what remained were immature. Stunned, I blurted out, ‘Are we trying to exterminate them? If so, congratulations! We’re making great progress.’
Sylvia Earle, NOAA’s Chief Scientist 1990-1992 (in Sea Change, 1995)
Currently reading “Tuna: A Love Story” by Richard Ellis and just had to post this quote I found quite humorous-
[Tuna] Does it contain mercury? Well, yes, but the scientists and the tuna industry are still arguing about how much is bad for you, and that means you can keep eating it.
The above reminds me of something my organic chemistry professor once told all of us regarding carcinogens we just happened to be working with…they are only suspected carcinogens so just be a bit careful. As for me [the professor] they were definitely not carcinogens when I was in college so they are perfectly fine for me to handle with no worries.
Should we be surprised that the polar oceans are not vast stretches of the non-living? Personally I was not under that assumption and have always been amazed at the places that become critical habitats for biological diversity. This especially became the case when ocean vents were found to support a host of thermophiles. Thus, I have held that the Arctic and Southern oceans are no different in such respects for supporting an array of life.
Even though the Arctic Ocean is the smallest and shallowest of our world (covering ~4.6 million square miles), it provides the sustenance to support tiny planktonic organisms to large polar bears and megafauna like whales. It is the unique Arctic conditions of cold oxygen rich waters complement the nutrient rich seabed , and the summer month permanent daylight that energizes the region with a vast supply of algae, and ice covered winter layers that enables success for foraging land mammals.
The Southern Ocean has been held as one of the most biologically productive seas in the world. Krill often forming swarms estimated to weigh more than 10 million tons (and can be seen by satellites), are fueled by continual daylight in the summer.
With perfect conditions such as these it was just a matter of time before researchers had the hard evidence needed to proclaim the polar oceans are, if I may steal from the Blue Planet series, “Seas of Life.”
According to the AP, “A marine census released Monday documented 7,500 species in the Antarctic and 5,500 in the Arctic, including several hundred that researchers believe could be new to science.”
Check out the article here- Study: ‘Astonishing richness’ in polar sea species
You can hear the power of these whales as one surfaces for air!
Lucy: 
poor little turtle.
Angela: Interesting indeed! Do you have a link to the original publication?
anika001: aww this is so sad. i hope this will be stopped.
Dan: That’s so sad…I’ve always loved visiting Japan and their culture, but whaling for...
april14344: that’s pretty cool art…go for the conservation!
