Ocean Life News in Brief: October-01-2016
First US Ocean Monument Created in the Atlantic Ocean
On September 15 Science News reported on the creation of the first US National Marine Monument in the Atlantic. President Barack Obama designated a pristine area to protect sea life off New England coast. The area spans over 12.7 thousand square kilometers. Named “Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument” the region is home for Whales, Sea Turtles, Corals and valued as a region of “great abundance and diversity”.
Ocean Area Twice Size of India Pledged to Be Protected in Our Ocean Conference
On September 15 EcoWatch reported on the start of the third annual Our Ocean Conference in Washington DC US. The Conference will address some of the biggest threats facing our oceans from plastic waste to climate change. 4 billion USD in commitments in new ocean conservation projects were generated by the Conference. The projects will protect 6 million square kilometers -area almost twice the size of India.
Center for Biological Diversity Sues Federal Government for Ocean Acidification
On September 13 The Atlantic reported that the US Federal Government was sued for not regulating ocean acidification. “The Center for Biological Diversity -a major American climate advocacy group...sued the federal government to force the Environmental Protection Agency EPA to regulate ocean acidification under the Clean Water Act,” The Atlantic reported.
New Study Assures California Drought Could Last Centuries
Science Daily reported on September 15 a new study which assures that the relationship between the Pacific Ocean and greenhouse gases could extend the California drought for Centuries. The study of UCLA researchers was published in Nature Journal Scientific Reports.
Former Costa Rica President Urges for Healthy Ocean Valued in 24 Trillion USD
Huffington Post ran on September 19 a report of the former President of Costa Rica -now Co-Chair of the Global Ocean Commission Jose Maria Figueres. Mr Figueres addressed economical values of the ocean and the importance of having a Healthy Ocean under a business perspective. The former President assured that oceans generate a GDP of 2.5 Trillion USD and has values of over 24 trillion USD. The former president assured that Global Oceans are the 7th World Largest Economy.
NASA Tracks Atlantic Tropical Cyclone and Storm: Julia and Ian
On September 19 NASA communicated on the latest advisories for the post-tropical cyclone Julia and its remnants. Impacts -cold front and needed rainfall were predicted to take over New England and US Mid-Atlantic States. NASA also tracked Tropical Storm Ian speeding through the Central Atlantic region.
MIT Researcher Modelling Future of Phytoplankton in World Oceans
MIT reported on September 15 on the work of MIT Scientist Stephanie Dutkiewicz. Dutkiewicz is modeling the future of phytoplankton of the ocean. Her research is focusing on the specie´s role as a food source and carbon sinker. Dutkiewicz is the principal research scientist in MIT’s Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences EAPS.
Global Fishing Watch of Oceana Goes Operational to Crack Down Illegal Fishing
Vox reported on September 16 on the new project Global Fishing Watch. The project of Oceana and Sky Truth will use global mapping software to track fishing boats. Global Fishing Watch is already operational and can track the 35 thousand largest World Fishing Vessels as well as the detect and pin-point illegal fishing boats. The aim of the program is to monitor world fishing activities and “catch boats that are operating illegally, to help crack down on overfishing and avoid the collapse of global fish populations”.
UK´s New Ocean Protected Areas Set 4 Million Square Miles Off Limits for Fishing
The Guardian reported on September 15 on new UK Government actions which will create marine protected areas around four islands in the Pacific and the Atlantic. The Government will ban commercial fishing in some areas. The Government assured that over 4 million square kilometers of these ocean waters will be off limits for industrial fishing.
“Africa Leads Sustainable Ocean Economy Pursuit,” World Bank Says
World Bank reported on September 15 on the momentum built after the Towards COP 22: African Ministerial Conference on Ocean Economies and Climate Change where the Mauritius Communique was reached. The World Bank highlighted its active programs and works conducted in the region.
Hurricane Season 2016: Karl Brings Rough Surf to East Coast
On September 19 Surf and Weather Press reported that System Karl was strengthening and would generate rough surf along the US East Coast. Karl was estimated to become the next Atlantic Hurricane of the Season.
“When Others Run Storms, We Chase Them!” Volvo Ocean Race Says
On September 15 Volvo Ocean Race released a look back video on Teams racing out massive storm systems in the epic Around the World Race. The organization just confirmed stops of the coming Volvo Ocean Race.
ISA World Surfing Games 2017 Goes to France
On September 19 ISA -the International Surfing Association announced that France will home the 2017 ISA World Surfing Games. The event to be hosted in Biarritz is a comeback to Europe.
Mayaro Virus Disembarks in Haiti: Mosquito Borne Disease Flagged and Tracked
On September 19 Sailing Anarchy reported on a new tropical induced disease for the region. The warming to flag and be on the lookout was installed for the Mayaro Virus -another mosquito borne virus considered to have worse effects than the Chikungunya. Mosquito borne viruses have turned epidemic fast in recent years. Science Daily reported that Scientists of the University of Florida have identified for the first time a patient in Haiti with the serious mosquito-borne illness that has never before been reported in the Caribbean nation.
MIT Reviews Top Ocean Robotic World Projects
MIT Technology ran a review on September 19 on Ocean Robotic projects which range from human transportation to climate change and marine biology. “Autonomous vessels are spreading far and wide,” MIT assured long listing details of new programs and projects. Roboat, Saildrone, Sea Machines and other projects were included in the MIT watch list.
New Studies Affirms Climate Change is Not a XX and XXI Century Thing
Nature released a reported on late August on the first climate change impacts registered in history. The report assures that climate change is not solely a XX Century issue and details impacts caused by greenhouse effects during the Industrial Revolution in the XIX Century.
Global NASA CORAL Mission Kickstarts in Great Barrier
On September 15 Science Daily released a NASA paper detailing the start of the CORAL Mission. The study explains that NASA has began the study of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. NASA will study the reef through a airborne mission. NASA's Coral Reef Airborne Laboratory CORAL mission is designed and scheduled to go global and offer new insight on global coral reefs studying them from the sky, giving new perspectives.
Oracle Racing Team Celebrating Bart´s Bash On September 18 Oracle Racing Team reported their presence in the Bart's Bash. The Bart's Bash weekend is the World’s largest celebration of sailing conducted in honor of Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, a friend and mentor of the America’s Cup family. Bart’s Bash has seen more than 45 thousand sailors participate in the event in 62 Countries across the 2 years.
Rolex Big Boat Series Goes Behind the Scene of Race Committees
On September 17 Rolex Big Boat Series released a “Behind the Scenes” video-report. “Race Committees are the true heartbeat of any Regatta. Lynn M. Lynch takes us behind the scenes of the St. Francis Yacht Club Race Committee and tells us what it takes to put on a World-Class event like the Rolex Big Boat Series,” the organization assured.
On September 15 Science News reported on the creation of the first US National Marine Monument in the Atlantic. President Barack Obama designated a pristine area to protect sea life off New England coast. The area spans over 12.7 thousand square kilometers. Named “Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument” the region is home for Whales, Sea Turtles, Corals and valued as a region of “great abundance and diversity”.
Ocean Area Twice Size of India Pledged to Be Protected in Our Ocean Conference
On September 15 EcoWatch reported on the start of the third annual Our Ocean Conference in Washington DC US. The Conference will address some of the biggest threats facing our oceans from plastic waste to climate change. 4 billion USD in commitments in new ocean conservation projects were generated by the Conference. The projects will protect 6 million square kilometers -area almost twice the size of India.
Center for Biological Diversity Sues Federal Government for Ocean Acidification
On September 13 The Atlantic reported that the US Federal Government was sued for not regulating ocean acidification. “The Center for Biological Diversity -a major American climate advocacy group...sued the federal government to force the Environmental Protection Agency EPA to regulate ocean acidification under the Clean Water Act,” The Atlantic reported.
New Study Assures California Drought Could Last Centuries
Science Daily reported on September 15 a new study which assures that the relationship between the Pacific Ocean and greenhouse gases could extend the California drought for Centuries. The study of UCLA researchers was published in Nature Journal Scientific Reports.
Former Costa Rica President Urges for Healthy Ocean Valued in 24 Trillion USD
Huffington Post ran on September 19 a report of the former President of Costa Rica -now Co-Chair of the Global Ocean Commission Jose Maria Figueres. Mr Figueres addressed economical values of the ocean and the importance of having a Healthy Ocean under a business perspective. The former President assured that oceans generate a GDP of 2.5 Trillion USD and has values of over 24 trillion USD. The former president assured that Global Oceans are the 7th World Largest Economy.
NASA Tracks Atlantic Tropical Cyclone and Storm: Julia and Ian
On September 19 NASA communicated on the latest advisories for the post-tropical cyclone Julia and its remnants. Impacts -cold front and needed rainfall were predicted to take over New England and US Mid-Atlantic States. NASA also tracked Tropical Storm Ian speeding through the Central Atlantic region.
MIT Researcher Modelling Future of Phytoplankton in World Oceans
MIT reported on September 15 on the work of MIT Scientist Stephanie Dutkiewicz. Dutkiewicz is modeling the future of phytoplankton of the ocean. Her research is focusing on the specie´s role as a food source and carbon sinker. Dutkiewicz is the principal research scientist in MIT’s Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences EAPS.
Global Fishing Watch of Oceana Goes Operational to Crack Down Illegal Fishing
Vox reported on September 16 on the new project Global Fishing Watch. The project of Oceana and Sky Truth will use global mapping software to track fishing boats. Global Fishing Watch is already operational and can track the 35 thousand largest World Fishing Vessels as well as the detect and pin-point illegal fishing boats. The aim of the program is to monitor world fishing activities and “catch boats that are operating illegally, to help crack down on overfishing and avoid the collapse of global fish populations”.
UK´s New Ocean Protected Areas Set 4 Million Square Miles Off Limits for Fishing
The Guardian reported on September 15 on new UK Government actions which will create marine protected areas around four islands in the Pacific and the Atlantic. The Government will ban commercial fishing in some areas. The Government assured that over 4 million square kilometers of these ocean waters will be off limits for industrial fishing.
“Africa Leads Sustainable Ocean Economy Pursuit,” World Bank Says
World Bank reported on September 15 on the momentum built after the Towards COP 22: African Ministerial Conference on Ocean Economies and Climate Change where the Mauritius Communique was reached. The World Bank highlighted its active programs and works conducted in the region.
Hurricane Season 2016: Karl Brings Rough Surf to East Coast
On September 19 Surf and Weather Press reported that System Karl was strengthening and would generate rough surf along the US East Coast. Karl was estimated to become the next Atlantic Hurricane of the Season.
“When Others Run Storms, We Chase Them!” Volvo Ocean Race Says
On September 15 Volvo Ocean Race released a look back video on Teams racing out massive storm systems in the epic Around the World Race. The organization just confirmed stops of the coming Volvo Ocean Race.
ISA World Surfing Games 2017 Goes to France
On September 19 ISA -the International Surfing Association announced that France will home the 2017 ISA World Surfing Games. The event to be hosted in Biarritz is a comeback to Europe.
Mayaro Virus Disembarks in Haiti: Mosquito Borne Disease Flagged and Tracked
On September 19 Sailing Anarchy reported on a new tropical induced disease for the region. The warming to flag and be on the lookout was installed for the Mayaro Virus -another mosquito borne virus considered to have worse effects than the Chikungunya. Mosquito borne viruses have turned epidemic fast in recent years. Science Daily reported that Scientists of the University of Florida have identified for the first time a patient in Haiti with the serious mosquito-borne illness that has never before been reported in the Caribbean nation.
MIT Reviews Top Ocean Robotic World Projects
MIT Technology ran a review on September 19 on Ocean Robotic projects which range from human transportation to climate change and marine biology. “Autonomous vessels are spreading far and wide,” MIT assured long listing details of new programs and projects. Roboat, Saildrone, Sea Machines and other projects were included in the MIT watch list.
New Studies Affirms Climate Change is Not a XX and XXI Century Thing
Nature released a reported on late August on the first climate change impacts registered in history. The report assures that climate change is not solely a XX Century issue and details impacts caused by greenhouse effects during the Industrial Revolution in the XIX Century.
Global NASA CORAL Mission Kickstarts in Great Barrier
On September 15 Science Daily released a NASA paper detailing the start of the CORAL Mission. The study explains that NASA has began the study of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. NASA will study the reef through a airborne mission. NASA's Coral Reef Airborne Laboratory CORAL mission is designed and scheduled to go global and offer new insight on global coral reefs studying them from the sky, giving new perspectives.
Oracle Racing Team Celebrating Bart´s Bash On September 18 Oracle Racing Team reported their presence in the Bart's Bash. The Bart's Bash weekend is the World’s largest celebration of sailing conducted in honor of Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, a friend and mentor of the America’s Cup family. Bart’s Bash has seen more than 45 thousand sailors participate in the event in 62 Countries across the 2 years.
Rolex Big Boat Series Goes Behind the Scene of Race Committees
On September 17 Rolex Big Boat Series released a “Behind the Scenes” video-report. “Race Committees are the true heartbeat of any Regatta. Lynn M. Lynch takes us behind the scenes of the St. Francis Yacht Club Race Committee and tells us what it takes to put on a World-Class event like the Rolex Big Boat Series,” the organization assured.
