Ocean Life News in Brief December 15-2017
Volvo Ocean Race into Southern Ocean: Back to Origins
International Press reported on December 10 on the start of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race Across the Southern Ocean. This year´s edition takes Sailors through the original route of the Whitbread Round the World Race. This “back-to-origins” route is considered extremely dangerous. Conditions set for start reported gusts of winds ranging from 40 to 60 knots in the freezing zone.
United Nations Plastic Ocean War Resolution Signed by 200 Countries
Reuters reported on December 6 that more than 200 countries signed a UN resolution in Nairobi to eliminate plastic pollution in the sea. United Nations Environment Programme UNEP assures that if plastic pollution is not stopped there will be more plastic than fish in the Ocean by 2050.
"Humming of the Earth" Study on to Initial Breakthrough
National Geographic reported on December 8 on the conclusions of new study which reveals insight on inner mechanics of the planet and ocean acoustics. The "humming of the Earth" Paper broke international news. The study conducted by researchers, spread out across Earth Science Institutes in Paris, Stuttgart, and Oxford -UK., combed through 11-months' worth of seismometer records covering a patch of more than 1,200 square miles on the Indian Ocean floor east of Madagascar. National Geographic explained that the "humming" itself is not new but the new data never registered before could conduct to breakthrough new research.
United Nations Designates 2021-2030 as the "Decade of the Oceans"
International Press reported on December 6 that United Nations has designated 2021-2030 as the Decade of the Oceans. UNESCO Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization assured that the decade will lead the way in Science for Sustainable Development and will boost international coordination and cooperation in research and scientific programs. Better management and wide range of new projects are expected to spring under this umbrella. Ocean experts see the designation as a "clear sign" of the state of the Oceans and its uncertain future.
Australian Murray River Drought Impacting Ocean Life
Australian Press The Conversation reported that the drought in the Murray River is not just affecting the basin but the ocean ecosystem as well. A study published in Marine and Freshwater Research reveals a extremely low flow of the river stretching out for the past decade. The nutrient charge of the basin is on the retreat and affecting phytoplankton, marine food webs and corals.
Global Powers Agree To Refrain From Fishing In Arctic Ocean For 16 Years
On December 4 International Press reported that an International Agreement for the protection, conservation and management of the Arctic Ocean fishing stocks has been reached. The new ban on fishing in the Arctic Ocean was welcomed by scientists and environmentalists. The European Union and nine Nations including Canada, Russia, China, the US, Japan, Iceland, Denmark and South Korea -considered Fishing Superpowers all signed the agreement.
Madagascar Indian Ocean Black Plague Expansion and High Alerts
The Week reported on December 5 on the development of the Madagascar plague and its expansion into the African continent. Despite the World Health Organization WHO assures that the "last confirmed bubonic case was reported on 24 October" and considers the epidemic in its final stage others are more cautious. Nine African countries continue on high alert. The plague caused over 200 deaths in just past months and led to over 2.3 thousand suspected and/or confirmed cases on the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar.
Mexico Creates Massive Revillagigedo Archipelago Ocean Marine Protected Area
The Guardian reported on November 25 on the creation by Mexico of a new vast ocean reserve which aims to protect the "Galapagos of North America". Fishing, mining and new hotels will be prohibited in the ‘biologically spectacular’ Revillagigedo archipelago."Mexico’s government has created the largest ocean reserve in North America around a Pacific archipelago regarded as its crown jewel," press reported. Mexico assured the area will be patrolled and protecte by its Navy. With over 150 thousand square kilometers set around the Revillagigedo islands management will be a challenge.
New Zealand Ocean Warming Trends Set for 2100 by New Study: Environment and Fisheries Impacted
On December 5 New Zealand Press reported that ocean warming could affect the country's environment and its fishing sector. "Rapid warming of the ocean near Tasmania may provide a good indication of how the water around New Zealand will change as the planet warms," Scientists said. The paper published in the New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research used two Earth system models and four climate change scenarios to project how New Zealand waters will be affected by 2100.
La Nina Pattern Forms in Tropical Pacific Ocean
Bloomberg reported on December 5 that La Niña pattern is forming in the Tropical Pacific Ocean. The Australia Weather Bureau declared that the event -despite expected to be short lived will affect weather, cropping and other sectors of Australia. La Niña will impact regional and Worldwide markets and society. Unusual cool and warm patterns are expected to rise from America to Asia and Australia. "Prices for agricultural commodities including corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, sugar and coffee may rise and be volatile during a La Nina cycle," Bloomberg reported.
Endangered Right Whales Shift Habitat Range
CBC reported on December 1 on a new study which reveals a habitat range shift for the Endangered Right Whales. This year over 16 Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales were found dead in Canadian and US waters. Registers of the Scotian Shelf -off Southern Nova Scotia and other areas reported that the specie had disappeared from its usual waters. Alarmed scientists took to analizing the data gathered from underwater microphones. They concluded that the specie has shifted its habitat range.
