Ocean Life News in Brief February 15-2017

Chemicals Banned in 70s Found in Deep Ocean Areas

BBC reported on February 13 that new studies reveal presence of banned chemicals in the deepests areas of the Ocean. Chemicals present in the study published in the Journal Natural Ecology and Evolution were banned in the 1970s.

300 Thousand Year Old Massive Landslide Found Near Great Barrier Reef

Smithsonian Magazine reported on a new study on February 9 which discovered a 300 thousand year old massive landslide. The evidence of the landslide was found near the Great Barrier Reef. The study was published in the Journal Marine Geology. The study is also of value to understand death and life of Great Barrier Reefs throughout Geological History.

5.2 Earthquake Shakes Central New Zealand

International press reported on February 12 that a 5.2 earthquake hit central New Zealand. Geolgogists assured the earthquake as an aftershock of recent Ring of Fire tectonic activity.

Powerful Earthquake in Ring of Fire Kills 8 in Philippines and Leaves Hundreds of Injured

ABC Australia reported on February 12 that “at least eight people were killed and more than 120 injured when a powerful earthquake struck in the southern Philippines, officials say, damaging buildings and an airport and knocking out power”. Over 100 aftershocks were felt in the post event.

Days Prior Ring of Fire Shaking Over 650 Whales Strand in New Zealand Beach

On February 9 International Press reported that over 650 Whales were stranded in New Zealand´s Beach. Of the stranded pack over 300 made it back to the water the rest died as cause of the event. Scientists study origin of massive stranding. Recent tectonic activity was linked to the event.

Water.org Reinforces 2017 Campaign to End Global Water Crisis Affecting 663 Million People

International Press reported on February 1 that Water.org and Stella Artois had reinforced their “Buy a Lady a Drink” Campaign for 2017 designed to End the Global Water Crisis. The campaign -since its origin has donated over 3 million USD and aided 800 thousand people directly in Countries where the program is active. The Global Water Crisis affects 663 million people around the World -or more.

Fast 40+ Class Growing Slow But Steady to Sail in 2017

Scuttlebutt Sailing News reported on February 13 on the advances made in the past years by the new class of Fast 40+. Created in 2015 the Class has grown to this year accomodate 14 boats in the Salento Scheduled regatta.

Professional Sports and Sustainability: Eye on Land Rover BAR and 11th Hour Regatta

International Sailing Press reported on February 12 on Sustainability and Sports. Team from America´s Cup Land Rover Bar and the 11th Hour Regatta shared their stories. GreenBiz reported that the Ohio State University Buckeyes, Land Rover BAR, the Sacramento Kings and Forest Green Rovers are four of the greenest teams on the planet. “11th Hour Racing soon became Land Rover BAR’s exclusive sustainability partner and, from that point on, the team’s environmental efforts have been full speed ahead,” media reported.

World Bank Vietnam Program Goes Operational to Increase Coastal Resilience

The World Bank released on February 3 details of a new program which will operate in Vietnam. The Program “Forest Sector Modernization and Coastal Resilience Enhancement Project” has set its objective to modernize forestry and increased Coastal Resilience. Air pollution, water pollution, drainage and sedimentation control, quarries, solid waste and disruption of vegetative covers are bullet points of the program.

World Leaders Prepare for UN NYC Ocean Conference: Voluntary Commitment Expected

International Government Leaders prepare for the UN -United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in New York City on February 15-16. An important part of the efforts to save the World’s Oceans will be based on voluntary commitments from Member States, Civil Society and the Business Sector.

Endangered African Penguins Falling into Ecological Trap

On February 8 Science Daily reported on a new study which revealed that Endangered African Penguins are falling into an “ecological trap”. “As the climate changes and fisheries transform the Oceans, the world's African penguins are in trouble. Young penguins aren't able to take all the changes into account and are finding themselves trapped in parts of the sea that can no longer support them even as better options are available,” media reported.

“Feeding Wild Dolphins Damages the Specie” Mote Laboratory Says  

The Mote Marine Laboratory released results of a new study on February 13 which assures that wild dolphins are more likely to be injured if humans feed them -even though unintentional means like discarding bait.

“MPAs Should Be Serious on Coral Cover Surface Size,” Georgia Institute of Technology Says  

On February 6 the Georgia Institute of Technology went public with a new study which takes on the sensible issue of MPAs, coral reef covers and overfishing. “For MPAs Marine Protected Areas established to help coral reefs recover from overfishing, size really does seem to make a difference,” researchers of the Georgia Institute of Technology Assure.

Kobe University Delivers Innovative DNA Technology for Fish ID Sampling only Sea Water

The Kobe University late January assured that using DNA samples from seawater they can identify fish species population living in local areas. The new technology used by the group is as they say “more effective than visual observation”.

NASA New Tech Can Dive Into Europe´s Secrets without Landing

Daily Galaxy reported on February 9 that NASA continues pushing forward for its Europa Mission with the development of new technology. Despite the mission is not program to land on Europe -nor even module detach on Europe, NASA experts assure that Plumes of Europe spread into the Space far enough for them not having to step on the Moon.

USGS Researcher Links Temperature to Death of Thousands of Seabirds from Cali to Alaska

CBC reported on February 10 that one year after tens of thousands of seabirds -common murres washed ashore from California to Alaska and explanation to the event has been reached. Researchers of the USGS -Geological Survey linked the event to increased temperatures of seawaters. Local fisheries assure that still to the date local fisheries are depleted.