Ocean Life News in Brief: August-01-2016
Ocean Power Technology Hacks Stock Jumping 75%
Fortune reported on July 16 on the stock jump of 75% of the company Ocean Power Technologies. The company company deployed a new version of its PowerBuoy. The Alternative Energy sector is feeling optimistic in wave-power energy.
National Geographic Warns that Ocean Gold Rush Could Wreck Oceans
National Geographic warned on July 13 that new interests in industrial mining could turn the Ocean into a Gold Rush. Media reported that diamonds, zinc, magnesium and rare earth materials are being hunted down by ROVs. There is enough gold in the ocean to give every person on Earth 21 thousand USD in Gold a total of 150 trillion USD. “Now, as the first deep-sea mining project ramps up, Nations are trying to hammer out guidelines to ensure this new "gold rush" doesn't wreck the oceans,” Nat Geo reported.
“Closing Oceans to Fishing is not Enough,” Washington University Study Says
Science Daily reported on July 13 on a new study of the University of Washington which assures that MPAs require more than just fishing bans. “Managing a country's entire fisheries is a better strategy than closing parts of the ocean to fishing,” the study assures. MPAs growing in popularity since the year 2000 need to revise fishing conservation actions, according to the study.
New Microscope Observes the Small Ocean World on Location
BBC reported on July 13 on a new microscope which opened revelation views into the small scale behaviour of marine life. “Marine scientists have developed a microscope that for the first time provides a window into the small scale behaviour of marine life,” media reported. Team of scientists from California and Israel worked together and released details of the new microscopic technology in Nature Communications. The new instrument was developed to operate seafloor observations instead of the usual laboratory observations of the microscopic world.
Ted Platforms Ocean Expert on “Ocean Optimism Talks”
Ideas Ted reported on July 14 on the work of Marine Conservation Researchers Ben Halpern who calls himself an “Ocean Optimist”. “Climate change, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, overfishing … it can be easy to feel depressed about the ocean. But when you look at the big picture of ocean health, some good news emerges,” the expert assures. “13% of human impact decrease from 2008 to 2013, Ocean health improved 1% in past three years, Governments use ocean data to guide policy, MPAs are a real thing now and Aquaculture is on the rise,” Halpern assures.
Spain and UK Scientists Warns on Negative Impacts on Organisms and Gas Cycles
The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona reported on July 12 on a new study developed by its researchers on impacts of ocean warming on phytoplankton. Researchers warn of the negative impacts of rapid ocean warming and ocean acidification on coccolithophores, and consequently in the regulatory processes of atmospheric and ocean concentrations of carbon dioxide. Researchers of Barcelona worked with researchers of the University of Cambridge and the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
New Zealand Teams Crowned World Match Racing Champions
World Match Racing reported on July 15 that Phil Robertson from New Zealand was crowned World Match Racing Champion. The Team from New Zealand took the lead over Taylor Canfield from the US Virgin Islands on the 5th and Final Stop of the Match Racing World Tour at Marstrand.
Pacific Cup: San Francisco to Hawaii Riding Out Tropical Storm Territories
On July 18 the Pacific Cup reported a total of 64 entrants crossing the course from San Francisco to Hawaii. Of the 64 only 59 were underway as of half way point. Winds of 20 knots and fast riding avoided Tropical Storm waters.
Fanning Takes J-Bay Open: WSL Jeep Rankings Shuffle and Shift
On July 16 the World Surf League reported that Mick Fanning took the J-Bay Open after defeating John John Florence in the final. Florence moved up to second in the WSL CT Jeep Leaderboard Ranking due to his performance. Upcoming in the WSL CT World Tour 2016 is the exotic Billabong Pro Tahiti in French Polynesia set for dates 19-30 August.
Study Links 90% of Antarctic Peninsula Glacier Retreat to Ocean Warming for First Time
Phys reported on July 14 that a new study discovered that ocean warming is the primary cause of Antarctic Peninsula Glacier retreat. Retreat used to be mainly linked to atmospheric warming and not to Ocean Warming. The study was performed by scientists at Swansea University and British Antarctic Survey and published in the journal Science. Some 90% of the 674 glaciers in this region have retreated since records began in the 1940s.
“No Imminent Shutdown in Ocean Circulation,” New Greenland Ice Meltdown Report Says
Science Nordic reported on July 14 that the melting ice of Greenland has not impacted global ocean circulation. “Two new studies suggest that meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet has not slowed down ocean circulation in the North Atlantic,” media reported. Studies were published in Nature Geoscience and Geophysical Research Letters.
“Degraded Reefs are Ocean Conservation Opportunity Hotspots,” New Study Says
GreenBiz reported on July 15 on a new study for conservation actions in degraded reefs. “Thirty, 40, 50 years ago, it made sense to target only the best, healthiest sites for protection, but our planet is completely different now,” media reported. The new study authored by scientists from the University of Tel Aviv studied reefs in Philippines, Vanuatu, Micronesia, Thailand, the Seychelles and other countries.
“Great Barrier Kelp Forest Retreat 100 Kilometers Every 5 Years,” CSIC Warns
The CSIC -Spanish National Research Council reported on July 8 that Kelp Forests of the Great Barrier are retreating at a rate of 100 kilometers every five years. The new study was published in Science and explains the issue focusing on ocean tropicalization. The article gathered data as far back as the year 2001 and studied over 2 thousand kilometers of Australian Coastline. The 2011 Heat Wave was a peak influence of the study.
“From the Ocean to the Supermarket” Southeast Asian Fish Farmers Boosted by SUPERSEAS
On July 12 WorldFish reported on SUPERSEAS a new project which will provide supermarket supported area-based management and certification of aquaculture in Southeast Asia. The program funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research NWO will focus on providing better access for small-scale fish farmers to high value retail markets. Program will be implemented in Bangladesh, Thailand and Viet Nam initially.
