Ocean Life News in Brief: November-15-2015
Hawaii Beach Safety on Dawn Patrol 24-7-365
Hawaii Beach Safety is giving out communication to keep beaches safe. “Hawaii's ocean and beach conditions are as unique as the islands themselves,” the organization explained. The website constantly monitors surf, wind and reports from public safety officials regarding beach conditions.
University of Washington Research Singlas to Subsurface Warming as Cause of Methane Bubble
A new research of scientists of the University of Washington signals to subsurface ocean warming which lead to an increase of methane gas which is bubbling up off the Washington and Oregon coast. The study was published in the journal Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems -journal of the American Geophysical Union. "We see an unusually high number of bubble plumes at the depth where methane hydrate would decompose if seawater has warmed," said lead author H. Paul Johnson, a UW professor of oceanography.
Project Aware Puts the Pressure on November ICCAT Summit for Shark Conservation
Project Aware reported that overfishing, finning and bycatch in combination are impacting the total population of world sharks. “This will unfortunately continue if shark fishing remains largely unmanaged in the world’s ocean, and in the Atlantic and adjacent seas in particular,” Project Aware reported. The organization highlighted the November Summit of the Parties of the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ICCAT as an opportunity to take steps in management and conservation policies. Project Aware is working NGOs Shark Advocates International and The Shark Trust.
Nature Climate Change Published University of Hawaii-Alaska Acidification Impact Paper
New Research of the University of Hawaii and University of Alaska concluded that the base of food webs of the Antarctic ocean basin will not be able to cope with the changes caused by ocean acidification. A chain reaction and butterfly effect spreading throughout the world oceans would follow. The study was published in Nature Climate Change. Study utilized a series of models to explore the intake of anthropic carbon dioxide by oceans. Most vulnerable organisms identified include the smallest organisms which compose the base of the food webs for fish, whales and marine birds.
CSIC Research Says Ocean Swirls are the Walls of Dead Ocean Zones
Europa Press reported on a new research paper conducted by an international team of scientists working the umbrella of the CSIC National Research Council of Spain. The paper assures to have established a relationship between the ocean swirls and dead ocean zones -areas of hypoxic waters (low oxygen). The study was published by Nature Geoscience Magazine. Researchers concluded that swirls which are generated and active in these low oxygen areas act as barrier walls which prevent waters high in oxygen to enter. 7 to 8% of the global ocean waters are dead zones and considered to be depleted of life forms. Swirls and dead zones systems could be compared to low and high pressure systems which act in the atmosphere. Study took to Peru coasts -active in ocean dynamics and to depths ranging from 300 to 600 meters.
Arctic Ocean Impact Consequences Analyzed by University of Colorado INSTAAR
A study of researchers of the University of Colorado Boulder's Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research INSTAAR concluded that by 2050 the Arctic Ocean will have less ice and more water and affect environmental and economic activities in the basin. “We hear all the time about how sea ice extent in the Arctic is going down,” Katy Barnhart leader of the study told the media.
NASA Rethinks Satellite Tools to Develop Innovation in Earth´s Ocean Science
JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA communicated on the development of new tools to use satellite data to keep up with changes taking place in Atlantic Ocean currents. NASA explained that the development is key due to the role currents in global circulation and regulation of global weather. “The finding opens a path to better monitoring and understanding of how ocean circulation is changing and what the changes may mean for future climate,” NASA assured.
Is Jupiter´s Moon Ocean Breaching the Ice Surface? NASA 2020 Mission Responds
International Press reported that the exploration of the Moon of Jupiter Europa could be easier than originally believed. NASA has a set mission to Europa under its mantra “Follow the Water”. The moon was identified for its potential for life. Press reported that the ocean´s of Europa hidden beneath a deep layer of ice could actually surface through “cracked regions”.
Mirabaud Yacht Racing to Announce Winner of 2015 Yacht Racing Image of the Year
Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image Contest entries closed with incredible submissions for the 2015 Yacht Racing Image of the Year. “The world’s greatest marine and yacht racing photographers have entered this year’s international Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image contest and voting is open to the public!” Organizers assured. Winner will be announced in Geneva on December 8. Vote will be conducted by the public. 135 Professional photographers from 29 countries entered the contest.
Volvo Ocean Race to Takes Over Newport US Again in 2018
Volvo Ocean Race announced the return of Newport US in May 2018. Newport which was a stop in the 2015 Volvo Ocean Race confirmed its participation once again for 2018 becoming the only US stop of the race. "We are thrilled to welcome the Volvo Ocean Race back to Rhode Island," Raimondo said. "We look forward to working together with Volvo Ocean Race and Sail Newport, across all levels of government to build on this year's success. Together, we will continue to showcase the Newport to the World as a premiere destination to visit and grow a business." Over 47 million USD moved through Newport in the 2015 Volvo Ocean Race.
Sea Bin Project Working Kickstarter to Get off the Ground the “Sea Bin Prototype”
The Sea Bin Project is working Kickstarter to get off the grounds a project which they say can start cleaning up the oceans from rubbish by starting the in the Marinas. The Sea Bin device is a simple innovation designed as a automated rubbish bin which attracts and collects floating rubbish, oil, fuel and detergents.
