Ocean Life News in Brief April 15-2017
NASA Continues Moving Further into Ocean Worlds
On April 11 NASA advanced it would announce new discoveries in Ocean Worlds as well as future plans for “Ocean Worlds Exploration”. “NASA will present new discoveries about the ocean worlds in our solar system,” CNN reported. NASA´s eye on the Ocean is part of its Mantra Follow the Water in Search for life beyond Earth.
“Should We Mine the Ocean Floor?” BBC Asks and Responds
On April 11 BBC ran a video report discussing the question whether mining should be taken to the next level in the Ocean floor. New discoveries revealed perhaps the richest deposits of rare minerals on this planet near the Canary Islands.
Volvo Ocean Race Boat Design Debate Goes Official
Expansion reported on April 7 on the long standing debate in the Volvo Ocean Race of switching from monohulls to multihulls. The coming 2017-2018 edition will be raced in Volvo 65 Monohulls but organizers are looking seriously into multihulls.
Alaska University Research Says Arctic Ocean is Acting like the Atlantic
Climate Central reported on April 6 that according to new research parts of the Arctic Ocean are behaving and displaying elements similar to the Atlantic ocean. Researchers of the University of Alaska are responsible for the new published paper.
New Ocean Robotics Trends Taking Over the Sector
BBC Technology reported on April 11 on new robotics developments in oceanography. “In the near future, ocean search-and-repair specialists won't need arms or legs,” BBC reported. Richard Mills from marine tech firm Kongsberg spoke to BBC on new robotics taking over the sector.
Should Sailing Be Gender Specific?
On April 11 Sailing Scuttlebutt News reported on gender equality in sailing and olympic games. The report details true and historical cases throughout past Olympics.
Australian Antarctic Division Takes Scientific Evidence for Whale Protection Seriously
RTE reported on April 11 that the Australian Antarctic Division determined abundance of main food of whale and ecological impacts. The study was made possible thanks to data fed by an underwater camera project. "Once we have an idea about where the whales feed, how often, where they go and rest, we can use this to inform policy and management to protect these whales and their ecosystem," leading whale scientist Ari Friedlaender told the press.
Federal Government Whale Protected Waters Affected by Hilcorp Oil Pipeline Leak
UK Whales reported on April 7 that a new oil pipeline has leaked into the home waters of one of the most endangered populations of beluga whales. The pipeline is owned by the Energy Company Hilcorp which said the leak had been stopped and just a few gallons of oil had escaped. Whales in Alaska's Cook Inlet population near Anchorage -around 340 individuals are listed as endangered by the US Federal Government.
Greek Islands Main Focus of GEOMAR Volcanic Study: Natural Disaster Risk Evaluation
GEMOR reported on April 3 on new volcanic studies in the Greek Islands. Despite a distant past of extremely violent natural disasters the Greek Islands today are well known holiday destinations. “How Explosive is the Aegean Sea?” German and Greek Scientists asked.The research vessel Poseidon of the GEOMAR set sail to “expand the knowledge about the dangers of volcanism in that region”. Recent earthquakes in Europe and Italy reveal the importance of the study for the entire Mediterranean basin.
First Oceans May Have Been Acidic
Science Bulletin reported April 10 that new studies reveal acidic First Oceans. Dr. Itay Halevy of the Weizmann Institute of Science has looked to the distant past -all the way back to Earth’s earliest oceans. The model he developed, together with Dr. Aviv Bachan of Stanford University suggests that the early oceans right around the time that life originated were somewhat acidic and that they gradually became alkaline.
UNESCO Member States Mobilize for UN Ocean Conference
UNESCO reported on April 7 that Member States are mobilizing for the UN Ocean Conference. Hosted by the Fiji and Sweden at the UN headquarters, the conference aims to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 SDG14 and reverse the decline of ocean health for the benefit of humanity by identifying solutions and engaging all stakeholders: Governments, Research institutes, civil society, industry and ordinary citizens.
World Kiteboarding League Mondial Du Vent France
World Kiteboarding League reported on April 10 on the start of the event Mondial du Vent. In location Leucate, France and until April 17 the 21st edition of the Mondial Du Vent -first stop of the 2017 World Kiteboarding League will be broadcasted live online.
