Faster than Predicted

The world's oceans are becoming more acidic, and it is even worse than we first thought. New studies show that the prediction models relating to ocean acidification are off, and not just by a little bit but by a lot. Since the year 2000, scientists have been measuring the acidity of the waters around Tatoosh Island off the coast of Washington state. The results have been generating some concern. They show that the acidity increased ten times faster than the prediction models suggested. This result was the prediction for a time period of 100 years, not 8. You can read more about the study and the effects here.

Bizarre Squid Caught on Film

Two and half kilometers underwater, a remote control sub's camera recorded "an alien-like, long-armed, and—strangest of all—"elbowed" Magnapinna squid." The video is from a Shell oil company ROV. You can watch the whole video (totaling 25 seconds) and read more about this crazy looking creature of the deep on National Geographic.

Thirty-one Years on the Job.

A female flatback turtle that was tagged in 1977, is still giving scientists information. One researcher indicates that "the turtle is helping them uncover mysteries about the ancient Australian species." To make things even more amazing is the fact that this turtle has survived a shark attack and two run-ins with vessels. To read more click here.

Forensics for the Fishes

Did you know that there is a forensics team that deals specifically with marine life? The NOS Marine Forensics Program analyzes evidence in up to 85 % of "NOAA Fisheries cases that require scientific analysis." You can read about them, and their latest case here.

Ten Percent by 2012

According to a survey done by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), only 1% of the world's oceans have a protected status. Four years ago signatories of the UN's biodiversity convention pledged to "protect at least 10% of the oceans in a way that makes sense ecologically." Now governments are committing to a target of protecting 10% of the earth's oceans by the year 2012, a pledge that many say is not going to be met. I personally think that this goal is achievable. New Zealand "has almost 70% of its coastline under some form of protection." To find this BBC News article, click here.

Great White Shark Sets New World Record

Here is an article about the migratory patterns of great white sharks that had been tagged. One of them dove to a depth of 1000m. Another interesting fact that was noted was that, these great whites in particular, had to swim 4000km from their normal living space, to Queensland's Great Barrier Reef and they swam in a surprisingly straight line. They travelled roughly 120 km a day. the article is a really interesting one. Picture was found here.

Keeping the Blue Whales Safe

Did you know that between 1980 and the beginning of 2007, five blue whales were killed off the California coast after being struck by vessels. That doesn't sound that bad? Well, here's another statistic for you; in the fall of 2007 four blue whales were killed in the Santa Barbara Channel off the coast of California, after being struck be by vessels. The Santa Barbara Channel is a busy shipping lane so you can't just close it down. NOAA is now doing something to prevent anymore of this kind of death among the blue whales. For more information just click. By the way, can you see the blue whale in the photo?