12/25/21
12/20/21
12/19/21
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE GARBAGE TO BREAK DOWN?
Taking your trash home and putting it in the proper container - recycling plastic and aluminum cans is a start - is the easiest and best thing you as a person can do to keep that out of the water.
Take photos or make memories when looking around in low-tide tide pools!
Stop buying plastic junk that breaks - including toys - that end up in our landfills for hundreds of years...
STORAGE ORG PDF : HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR GARBAGE TO BREAK DOWN!
12/15/21
11/25/21
11/5/21
11/2/21
BEACH CLEAN UP - MR. BEAST STYLE - TEAM SEAS ORG
The organize volunteer beach clean ups. For each dollar you donate about a pound of trash is picked up and properly disposed of.
10/30/21
10/27/21
GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE LIFE - THE LARGEST LIVING STUCTURE ON EARTH
The reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, in the Coral Sea.
10/23/21
AUDUBON NATURE INSTITUTE AQUARIUM NEW ORLEANS
AUDUBONN NATURE INSTITUTE - AQUARIUM includes sea animals of the Gulf of Mexico and a South African Penguin colony..
10/20/21
10/15/21
10/10/21
PURPLEBACK FLYING SQUID MASSIVE SWIMMING IN RED SEA
DAILY MAIL = MASSIVE PURPLEBACK SQUID IN RED SEA
These squid usually grow to two feet long but this one was bigger than a human! Exploring a ship wreck the creature suddenly came into view. Lots of good photos and video here.
10/8/21
A WHALE SAVED HER LIFFE - FOREVER FRIENDS
A wonderful video that is part cartoon and an amazing testimonial by whale scientist Nan Hause. A whale pushed her to the surface of the ocean when a massive shark appeared.
10/7/21
10/4/21
DOLPHINS SWIMMING FRANTICALLY - ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA OIL SPILL
LA TIMES MAJOR OIL SPILL CLOSES ORANGE COUNTY BEACHES PHOTOS
by two Photojournalists, Allen J. Schaben and Myung Chun, this article come out after the paper edition reported "A Surf Session In One Word : Surreal" which said dolphins were swimming frantically.
Here is the report by surfer Joe Mozingo : LA TIMES SURFING THE ORANGE COUNTY OIL SPILL
With all the wonders of technology, it amazes me that we still have to contend with the possibilities of ecological damaging oil spills.
10/2/21
GLOBAL CORAL REEF ALLIANCE
GCRA is a worldwide coalition of volunteer scientists, divers, environmentalists and other individuals and organizations, committed to coral reef preservation. We primarily focus on coral reef restoration, and cuttings edge research on impacts of coral bleaching, global warming, marine diseases, global sea level rise, and pollution on corals.
10/1/21
9/20/21
9/17/21
GREAT BARRIER REEF ORG - RESTORING CLIMATE CHANGE ARKS TO PROVIDE SAFE HOMES FOR WILDLIFE ; SEA TURTLE NESTING
BARRIER REEF ORG Likened to climate change arks, Reef Islands provide a safe home for wild life such as sea turtles and sea birds to rest, feed, shelter, and breed. Some islands are being brought back to life... The Great Barrier Reef Org is working on three islands at this time...
EXCERPT: A manta with a bright fuchsia pink belly visits Lady Elliot Island every year. Nicknamed Inspector Clouseau of Pink Panther fame, as far as the researchers know, he is the only one of his kind in the world, seen only at Lady Elliot Island.
9/15/21
MYSTIC AQUARIUM BELUGA WHALE APPEARS TO LIKE THE SOUND OF THE VIOLIN
MSN BELUGA WHALE MESMERIZED BY VIOLIN PLAYING Link to brief article and video...
9/14/21
9/12/21
EXTREME CONTROVERSY! WILL DUMPING ROCK INTO THE GREAT BARRIER REEF CHANGE THE ACIDIFICATION KILLING CORALS?
MOTHER JONES ENVIRONMENT - GEOENGINEERING TRICK SAVE REEF? by Graham Readfearn
Will dumping rock or nanocrystals of salt do the trick? Corals cannot build skeletons when the ocean waters are so acidic? In this article the possible positives are discussed as well as a significant negative... it would have to be done every three months - forever?
9/10/21
GREAT BARRIER REEF WORLD HERITAGE SITE - UNESCO
WORLD HERITAGE UNESCO GREAT BARRIER REEF
EXCERPT: With the GBR there are some 2.500 individual reefs of varying sizes and shapes, and over 900 islands, ranging from small sandy cays and larger vegetated cays, to large rugged continental islands rising, in one instance, over 1,1000 meters above sea level. Collectively these landscapes and seascapes provide some of the most spectacular maritime scenery in the world. ... There are over 1,500 species of fish, about 400 species of coral. 4,000 species of mollusk, and some 240 species of birds, plus a great diversity of sponges, anemones, marine worms, crustaceans, and other species.
9/9/21
HURRICANE IDA STRANDED DOLPHIN RESCUED
MSN HURRICANE POND DOLPHIN RESCUED Nemerous groups cooperated together to rescue the dolphin in fresh water and return him to the sea. It turns out animals stranded in fresh water is not uncommon. Hurricane Ida also deposited alligators.
9/6/21
GREAT BARRIER REEF ORG : DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE SIX INHABITABLE 9 i.e. RESORT) ISLANDS AS PART OF THE REEF SYSTEM?
OK this site is a bit tourist oriented but I was fascinated to know that there are over 100 islands that are part of the reef system and that six of them are vacation destinations. Some of these are remote and accommodate only a few guests at a time willing to live in more island rustic conditions. Who goes there and why?
Scuba Divers for one. Snorkelers for two.
Here's an excerpt: Heron Island is a World Heritage-Listed marine National Park, all flora and fauna is protected, so the island is a nature lover's paradise with the emphasis on enjoying natural beauty. A vacation here replaces stress with a sense of adventure and your days are filled with discovery.
9/3/21
SMITHSONIAN OCEAN on CORAL REEFS and CORAL
OCEAN SMITHSONIAL CORAL REEFS and CORAL
EXCERPT: They teem with life, with perhaps one-quarter of all ocean species depending on reefs.
9/1/21
8/25/21
FISHY RESTUARANT - SWIMMING FISH AROUND YOUR FEET
I wonder how long the wooden chair legs will last? I guess the idea is that the fish can feed on you - the dry skin on the feet - while you eat fish.... Don't think I could do this. COULD YOU?
8/23/21
FLORIDA AQUARIUM : TAMPA BAY
An educational and conservation location with exhibits that focus on "a large simulated wetlands environment located under a tall glass atrium, shallow bays and beaches, and a coral reef ecosystem encompassed in half a million gallons of natural seawater.
8/15/21
8/9/21
MUSEE INSTITUTE OCEANOGRAPHIQUE - MONACO
MUSEE OCEANO ORG = MONACO AQUARIUM
In Monaco and in Paris
So many Europeans speak English with an English accent, but Albert II grew up with an American mother, and I suppose that is why he speaks in a flawless American English. Located on the Mediterranian Sea, Albert's foundation is one of the entities behind Musee Institute Oceanographique. Loations in Monaco and in Paris, this blog cannot go without mentioning these!
8/6/21
8/3/21
SEA FLOOR MAPPING BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SCIENCE CENTER and WOODSHOLE COASTAL AND MARINE SCIENCE CENTER
USGS GOV - SCIENCE CENTER SEA FLOOR
MARINE GEOLOGY! How do scientist's discover what the sea floor looks like?
EXCERPT: SFNG uses acoustic and optical techniques to acquire detailed geologic information about the sea floor, such as seabed topography, sediment composition and distribution, and underlying geologic structure. This information defines the geologic framework and provides a base for a wide-range of USGS research.
Check them out!
8/1/21
7/23/21
JET BLACK and BIOLUMINESCENT "FOOTBALL-LIKE" FISH WASHES ASHORE IN NEWPORT BEACH
SMITHSONIAN : DEEP SEA FOOTBALL LIKE FISH WASHES ASHORE INTACT see the photos of this black fish.
Only the FEMALES have bioluminescent aspect to lure fish into their mouths. It's highly unusual for this fish to show up ashore because it usually lives 3000 feet down.
EXCERPT: ... rare deep-sea fish with teeth resembling tiny shards of glass, a football-shaped body, and a long bioluminescent stalk on the top of its head washed ashore in California this week. The sea creature was later identified as a female Pacific football fish ....
7/3/21
MALE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS HOLD GRUDGES
DAILY MAIL : MALE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS HOLD GRUDGES Lots of pop ups so I hope you have a pop up blocker.
EXCERPT: The study also found that dolphins co-operate with others that have not helped them directly, but have helped dolphins they know - suggesting the animals remember who is and isn't likely to assist them.
Dolphins are able to identify each other's calls because they develop signature whistles which stay the same throughout their life.
7/1/21
DOLPHIN SKIN DISEASE TIED INTO CLIMATE CHANGE
PHYS ORG : DOLPHIN SKIN DISEASE - 70 % OF BODY - GLOBAL WARMING
EXCERPT : ... it is the first time since the disease first appeared in 2005 that scientists have been able to link a cause to the condition that affects coastal dolphin communities worldwide. Due to the decreased water salinity brought upon by climate change, the dolphins develop patchy and raised skin lesions across their bodies - sometimes covering upwards of 7% of their skin.
.... This study comes on the heels of significant outbreaks in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas and Australia in recent years. In all of these locations, a sudden and drastic decrease in salinity in the waters was the common factor. Coastal dolphins are accustomed to seasonal changes in salinity levels in their marine habitat, but they do not live in freshwater. The increasing severity and frequency of storm events like hurricanes and cyclones, particularly if they are preceded by drought conditions, are dumping unusual volumes of rain that turn coastal waters to freshwater.
6/28/21
OREGON COAST AQUARIUM - LIVE CAMS - SHARKS - OTTERS - SEA BIRDS - FOSSILS
Special this summer is FOSSILS. Go to the site and you can get a SNEAK PEAK. CRUSIN the FOSSIL COASTLINE will include the art of Alaskan Ray Troll and Dr. Kirk Johnson, paleontologist, will show you the results of a long search for fossils.
Reading about their show, I'm reminded of my geography class. Learn about volcanoes, land slides, glaciers, ice sheets, and other earth changes that effected the Oregon Coast.
6/26/21
NEW YORK AQUARIUM : SPINELESS INCLUDING ZOMBIE WORMS
"Be prepared to be amazed by the bizarre but breathtaking animals in Spineless. Pacific Octopus, moon jellies, zombie worms..."
vintage image from
New York Aquarium Journal
6/21/21
NORTHEAST CANYONS and SEAMOUNTS MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENT WILL REMAIN - ATLANTIC OCEAN CONSERVANCY
EXCERPT: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from a fishing group that challenged the creation of a large federally protected are in the Atlantic Ocean.
The group sued to try to get rid of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which became the first national ocean monument in the Atlantic when President Barack Obama created it in 2016. The area consists of 5,000 square miles off New England, and it is home to fragile deep sea corals.
6/18/21
SEA FEVER : POEM BY JOHN MASEFIELD
SEA FEVER
by John Masefield
I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grew dawn breaking.
I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
6/15/21
6/9/21
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
FWS GOV : ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
EXCERPT: The purpose of the ESA is to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Commerce Departments National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
There's a video to watch at this site.
6/6/21
GRAY WHALE POPULATION DECLINE - WHALE COUNT 2020-2021 SEASON
PHYS ORG NEWS : GRAY WHALE POOULATION DECLINE
EXCERPT: NOAA Fisheries reported that surveys counted about 6,000 fewer migrating whales last winter, 21,000 as compared with 27,000 in 2016.
The agency declared an "unusual mortality event" in 2019 as dozens of gray whales washed up on Pacific Ocean beaches.
6/3/21
HUMANE SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL on WHALING
EXCERPT: The future for whales is threatened by countries' disregarding and working to lift the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whale hunting, as well as vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglements, ocean pollution including marine debris), habitat loss and human-created loud noise. Whales are some of Earth's largest animals, with the strongest and deepest voices. Some annually migrate from the tropics to the poles. Some sing elaborate songs, and many live in close, complex societies.
6/1/21
5/29/21
ONE QUARTER OF THE GREY WHALES DIED IN THE PACIFIC LAST YEAR. WHAT'S HAPPENING?
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - WHALE DIE OFF IN THE PACIFIC by Kate Linthicum
Excellent article, photographs and graphics. But you have to sign up with your e-mail and I know some of you don't want to.
The question of why the whales are dying is a difficult one but malnutrition seems to be the cause. The last whale I saw beached up was a male and he was on the rocks quite some time before a high tide took him away. He looked a bit slim but perhaps he lost his mother?
5/24/21
SEADRAGONS and SEAHORSES BRED at the BIRCH AQUARIUM in SAN DIEGO
UC SAN DIEGO SCRIPPS BIRCH AQUARIUM
Working science labs and an effort to breed sea dragons and seahorses. On the campus of UC San Diego.
5/21/21
AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC IS FULLY OPEN
The Aquarium is keen on education and has frequent special workshops and adventures.
Have those fishies missed the crowds?
What about the sea lions?
5/18/21
EPA NEEDS TO ACT FAST! AS MANY AS 500,000 CORRODING BARRELS OF CARCINOGEN DUMPED IN PACIFIC
LA TIMES - EPA NEEDS TO ACT FAST - DDT BARRELS OFF CATALINA - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA By the LA Times Editorial Board from March 22, 2021
EXCERPTS: On a clear day, looking south from Rancho Palos Verdes' Point Vicente Lighthouse across the San Pedro Channel to Catalina Island offers a stunning postcard-worthy vista of coastline, sparkling blue water and the busy comings-and-goings from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
What you can't see is what lies below the water: as many as 500,000 corroding barrels of DDT, and extremely effective insecticide the U.S. government banned in 1972 because it caused long-term damage to the environment and wildlife - and because it was a probably human carcinogen.
... If you look out from Point Vicente for the next few weeks, you may see the research vessel Sally Ride mixed among the ships and boats plying the channel. Those aboard include 31 scientists and crew members who are mapping 50,000 acres if seafloor to try to catalogue the scope of the DDT barrel graveyard, a critical early step in trying to figure out the best way to deal with the barrels and chemical seepage.
5/15/21
5/13/21
THAMES RIVER CRABS EATING MICROPLASTIC
DAILY MAIL UK ONLINE: SCIENCE THAMES RIVER MICROPLASTIC and CRABS
EXCERPT: Researchers found that 94,000 microplastic particles - many from larger pieces of plastic broken down - were flowing through parts of the Thames every second.
These also included fibers from washing machine outflows and sewage outfalls - with much of it being swallowed by local wildlife including various crab species.
The density of microplastics in the Thames was higher than some other major rivers including the Rhine in Germany, the Danube in Romania, and the Chicago in the U.S.
5/10/21
TWO YEAR OLD GREY WHALE LOST IN THE MEDITERRANEAN - RARE EVENT PROPELED BY CLIMATE CHANGE?
DAILY MAIL SCIENCE GREY WHALE LOST IN MEDITERRAINEAN
Or is Wally just adventurous?
EXCERPTS: Biologists are working tirelessly to help relocate Wally over fears he cannot find the invertebrates that are his normal food source in the depths of the Pacific Ocean....
As ice disappears. passages open for marine animals to travel between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.
However, some marine animals like Wally, become confused and are taking the wrong route when it is time to migrate.
Wally is believed to have taken the Gibraltar Straight to the Mediterranean and followed the Moroccan coast before traveling across Italian shores and landing in France where Hansen and his team spotted him.
5/7/21
IS SEA GRASS THE NATURAL SOLUTION TO PLASTIC POLLUTION?
PHYS ORG SEA GRASS and PLASTIC
EXCERPT: There are some 70 species of marine seagrass, grouped in several families of flowering plants that - originally on land - recolonized the ocean some80 to 100 million years ago.
Growing from the Artic to the tropics, most speies hae long, grass-like leaves that can form vast unerwater meadows.
They are more than just pretty, however.
They play a vital role in improving water quality, absorb CO2 and exude oxygen, and are a natural nursery and refuge for hundreds of species of fish.
5/5/21
SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY
EXCERPT: Sea Shepherd's Legal Mission is to save marine wildlife and habitats by enforcing, strengthening, and developing protective laws, treaties, policies, and practices worldwide. We work collaboratively with governments, encourage public engagement, and litigate against irresponsible actions.
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5/4/21
STARFISH COLLECTION - USE YOUR CELL PHONE To PHOTOGRAPH THEM IN PLACE
REMEMBER NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING FROM A TIDEPOOL. LOOK, TAKE A PICTURE, TRY TO IDENTIFY THE CREATURES YOU SEE LIVING THERE. BUT DO NOT DISTURB THE ECOSYSTEM
5/2/21
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE SEA OTTER TANK AT THE MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM?
One of several web cams at the MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM, you can watch sea life such as sharks, octopus, and kept beds.
4/30/21
4/29/21
4/28/21
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION HAS CHAPTERS ALL OVER! EVEN CHICAGO!
PLASTIC POLLUTION
FRESH WATER
BEACH ACCESS
Just some of the things worth fighting for!
Check them out! They have chapters all over - MAUI - MICHIGAN.
4/26/21
THE BAY FOUNDATION - RESTORATION OF THE KELP BEDS
SANTA MONICA BAY - BAY FOUNDATION
EXCERPT: The Bay Foundation will be one of the first non=profits to employ innovative technologies to explore underwater ecosystems and support conservation and restoration of our coastal resources. Remotely operated underwater vehicles, once only available to agencies and universities, now allow everyone from children to scientist, the opportunity to experience and understand the ocean by capturing high-resolution images and videos of the seafloor.
4/24/21
CABRILLO MARINE AQUARIUM - SUMMER DOCENT PROGRAM and MUCH MORE
The Summer DOCENT program is planning to be virtual but you can still sign up. This aquarium is a science location. Whale watching anyone?
JUST AN UPDATE. JUNE 15th 2021 IS THE REOPENING DATE FOR CABRILLO AQUARIUM
4/18/21
CELEBRATE EARTH WEEK AT THE SEYMOUR MARINE DISCOVERY CENTER at UCSC
SEYMOUR MARINE DISCOVERY CENTER UC SANTA CRUZ
Open and a virtual DEEP SEA CORAL EXHIBIT
4/17/21
4/16/21
SPRING IS HERE and SUMMER IS COMING! ARE YOU BACK IN SCHOOL?
HELLO EVERYONE!
For now the technological gliches have been resolved and Siren is back to posting!
There's so much good stuff on this blog even when she's hiding out in her sea cave to find, she hopes you haven't been too bored!
IS Y OUR SCHOOL OPEN?
HAVE YOU BEEN HOME SCHOOLING?
4/15/21
4/14/21
HEAL THE BAY - EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY
Beach and NEIGHBORHOOD Clean Ups.... and new FRESH WATER LEGISLATION.
It's been a while since we checked into Heal the Bay!
4/13/21
3/10/21
3/8/21
YES SIREN IS STILL SWIMMING AROUND THE NET
Hello All Readers,
I want to assure you that I am well and still active and eager to post here at SIRENS LINK TO SEA.
There have been problems with my computer and technical issues, which are being worked on.
I seem to have gone way over my WiFi limit lately.
I've had the opportunity to take down some expired videos and look over the most important posts.
Please enjoy yourself reading all my previous posts until we meet again!
Siren
2/14/21
2/13/21
2/12/21
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