Random Length News : When the Ocean Sends a Cry for Help
Excerpt: An unusually early and toxic algae bloom has caused a massive domoic acid poisoning event affecting pinnipeds, dolphins and seabirds all along the Southern California coast. While there have been other serious outbreaks in the 24 years since DA was first identified on the West Coast — the summer of 2023 was also harrowing — the early arrival and the morbid intensity of this event are straining local resources. Ash and runoff from the fires may be exacerbating the natural phenomenon, leading to heartbreaking scenes of dolphins stranding on public beaches, gasping for breath.
6/30/25
6/28/25
HILTON HEAD BEACHED SPERM WHALE : WHALE HELP
ISLAND PACKET :HILTON HEAD BEACHED SPERM WHALE
Excerpt: Like the beached whale on Hilton Head Island, live whales usually only beached themselves if they’re sick, injured, or in otherwise poor health. One common cause of sickness is when the whale ingests marine debris, especially plastic. Whales can get entangled in fishing gear or get struck by boats. Sperm whales are an endangered species, and about four of them strand themselves on beaches across the Atlantic coast per year. George said there has been some increase in the number of whales washing up over the years, but it’s not known whether that’s due to an increase in sperm whale populations or an increase to the threats they face. Lentz said the average person can help endangered whales by making conscientious choices about the food they eat and the products the buy, and picking up their garbage on the beach.
If you see a stranded or injured marine animal, do not push it back into the ocean, as biologists say it will likely wash up again somewhere else. Instead, call (877) WHALE-HELP to report the animal to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
6/24/25
DRONES RECORD HUNDREDS OF WHALES : CHANGES IN SIZE OF FEMALES AND CALVES : DROP IN BIRTHRATE : HEATWAVES EFFECT
SEATTLE TIMES : DRONES RECORD HUNDREDS OF WHALES by Brendan Rascius of McClatchy News
EXCERPT: ... scientists documented dramatic changes in the size of the mothers and calves and in humpback birthrates.Changes in size
Between 2018 and 2022, “a total of 2,410 measurements were taken from 1,659 individuals, with 405 repeat measurements from 137 lactating females used to track changes in maternal body volume over migration,” Martin van Aswegen, one of the study authors, said in a news release from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
In six months, they decreased in body volume by 17% on average. Specifically, the mothers off Hawaii — where the whales breed — lost about 214 pounds of blubber each day.
Comparatively, nonpregnant and pregnant females off Alaska — where the whales feed — gained size much faster than new mothers, putting on weight between two and six times the rate of lactating females.
Calves, in contrast, rapidly put on weight. They increased their body volume by about 395%, and their length increased by nearly 60%.
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KEEP READING!
6/21/25
OCEAN CURRANTS STALLING? CHANGING? WEATHER MOVING TOWARDS AN ICE AGE?
DAILY MAIL SCIENCE : CLIMATE CHANGE by Jonathan Chadwick - Assistant Science and Technology Editor.
Excerpt: A new study by experts at University of Gothenburg and the German Alfred Wegener Institute reveals that rapidly melting freshwater ice in the Arctic could be one cause. This melted ice could weaken or even cause a collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) – Earth's vast system of ocean currents.
Described as 'the conveyor belt of the ocean', AMOC transports warm water near the ocean's surface northwards from the tropics up to the northern hemisphere, keeping Europe, the UK and the US east coast temperate.
If and when AMOC does collapse, much of the northern hemisphere, including Europe and North America, could experience harsh, freezing cold winters.
But study author Dr Céline Heuzé, senior lecturer in climatology at the University of Gothenburg, said it's 'scary' that the exact effects of weaker global ocean circulation are as yet unknown.
Excerpt: A new study by experts at University of Gothenburg and the German Alfred Wegener Institute reveals that rapidly melting freshwater ice in the Arctic could be one cause. This melted ice could weaken or even cause a collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) – Earth's vast system of ocean currents.
Described as 'the conveyor belt of the ocean', AMOC transports warm water near the ocean's surface northwards from the tropics up to the northern hemisphere, keeping Europe, the UK and the US east coast temperate.
If and when AMOC does collapse, much of the northern hemisphere, including Europe and North America, could experience harsh, freezing cold winters.
But study author Dr Céline Heuzé, senior lecturer in climatology at the University of Gothenburg, said it's 'scary' that the exact effects of weaker global ocean circulation are as yet unknown.
6/17/25
6/14/25
THE SECRET OF THE SEA : A POEM BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
SIMPLE POETRY : HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW (And lots of other sea inspired poetry!)
6/11/25
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION TICKING TIME BOMB : SEA LIFE CRISIS
THE GUARDIAN : SEA ACIDITY CRISIS TICKING TIMEBOMB
Excerpt: It found that by 2020 the average ocean condition worldwide was already very close to – and in some regions beyond – the planetary boundary for ocean acidification. This is defined as when the concentration of calcium carbonate in seawater is more than 20% below preindustrial levels.
The deeper in the ocean they looked, the worse the findings were, the scientists said. At 200 metres below the surface, 60% of global waters had breached the “safe” limit for acidification.
“Most ocean life doesn’t just live at the surface,” said PML’s Prof Helen Findlay. “The waters below are home to many more different types of plants and animals. Since these deeper waters are changing so much, the impacts of ocean acidification could be far worse than we thought.”
6/9/25
2025 UNITED NATIONS OCEAN CONFERENCE TAKING PLACE NOW
WMO INTERNATIONAL : UNITED NATIONS OCEAN CONFERENCE 2025 NOW
Excerpts: The UN Ocean Conference from 9 to 13 June, is co-hosted by the governments of France and Costa Rica. It is expected to adopt a political declaration and registry of voluntary commitments – called the Nice Ocean Action Plan to conserve and sustainably use the ocean” in support of Sustainable Development Goal 14 on life above and below the water.French President Emmanuel Macron and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica joined UN secretary-General Antonio Guterres in calling for more science-based action to protect ocean health which is so vital to planetary health.
The ocean absorbs more than 90 percent of excess heat from human activities. Ocean warming and glacier melt is accelerating sea-level rise. Record ocean temperatures and acidification are inflicting severe and long-lasting damage.
This is having a tsunami-like impact on sustainable development of the ocean and resulting in billions of dollars of damage to the Blue Economy.
6/7/25
HOW RICH NATIONS DUMP TOXIC OLD SHIPS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
BUSINESS INSIDERS : HOW RICH NATIONS DUMP OLD CRUISE SHIPS and OIL TANKERS
There's a video at this website to watch.....
This tweaks my concerns about ocean pollution... Siren
6/4/25
WHAT'S THE CAL STATE LONG BEACH AQUATIC TOX LAB?
Calcium Signaling Disruption....
These students focus on aquatic pollution....
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