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Showing posts with the label Oceans

Microplastics found in oysters, clams on Oregon coast, study finds. (Last year, Canadian scientists discovered high levels of microplastics in B.C.’s oyster beds). Is our clothing to blame?

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EurekAlert Pacific oysters, farmed in the U.S. Photo by NOAA. Tiny threads of plastics are showing up in Pacific oysters and razor clams along the Oregon coast -- and the yoga pants, fleece jackets, and sweat-wicking clothing that Pacific Northwesterners love to wear are a source of that pollution, according to a new Portland State University study. Story here. RELATED: More bad news for the world’s oceans - out of Canada!

The Amazon River: A Major Source of Organic Plastic Additives to the Tropical North Atlantic?

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Environmental Science & Technology The Amazon empties into the Atlantic. "Flick"  Coordenação-Geral de Observação da Terra/INPE Dissolved surface water concentrations of two important families of plastic additives were found in remarkably high concentrations in the Amazon river plume. Story here.

Why fish ARE getting smaller (Video)

Vid

Ban oil, gas, bottom trawling in CANADA'S marine protected areas, panel urges

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THE STAR Image by NOAA. --> A panel that has spent the year studying marine protected areas (MPAs) in Canada says no oil and gas development, seabed mining, or bottom-trawling fishing should be allowed within their boundaries. More here. RELATED: New research finds that “marine reserves” – tracts of ocean where fishing is banned – are protecting fish, the coral reefs where they live and vast undersea "gardens," a lot more than once thought. By Larry Powell.

Industrial fishing behind plummeting shark numbers

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Science News Research finds marine predators are significantly smaller and much rarer in areas closer to people. Story here. An ocean "white-tip" shark. Photo by NOAA.

Thirty years of unique data reveal what's really killing coral reefs

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Science News Study is world's longest record of reactive nutrients, alga concentrations for coral reefs.  Story here. Bleached coral. Photo by NOAA.

Canada becomes first G7 country to ban shark fin imports

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The Guardian Shark fins for sale in Canada. Photo by Hakai MAGAZINE  Measure which also bans sale of fins awaits royal assent. Story here.

"Artifishal." The fight to save wild salmon. (Video)

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New research finds that “marine reserves” – tracts of ocean where fishing is banned – are protecting fish, the coral reefs where they live and vast undersea "gardens," a lot more than once thought.

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Large-scale commercial fishing has, for years, been depleting fish-stocks in many places around the world - especially in coral reefs in the tropics. In response, several countries have designated certain areas of the sea as "marine reserves," where neither fishing nor other development is allowed. Now, a team of scientists from US and Australian universities has produced compelling new evidence . It shows  these reserves have not only been helping stocks rebound, but are also protecting massive coral "food webs" - beds of sea-grasses and algae - important reservoirs for carbon storage.   by Larry Powell In this satellite photo, "halos" appear as pale blue circular bands  surrounding tiny dark spots. The spots are likely  small patch reefs  or other shelter for small fish and invertebrates  that protect  them  from predators. Each halo is probably  about 10 meters wide.  The more there are, the healthier  marine life there is likely

Reduce plastics! PLEASE SIGN!

Fatal horizon, driven by acidification, closes in on marine organisms in Southern Ocean

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PHYS ORG A tiny sea creature at the California Academy of Sciences. Photo by Brian Skipworth Marine microorganisms in the Southern Ocean may find themselves in a deadly vise grip by century's end as ocean acidification creates a shallower horizon for life, new University of Colorado Boulder research finds.  More here.

Australia's marine heatwaves provide a glimpse of the new ecological order

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The  Guardian An ocean under human siege. A Pexels photo. Receding kelp forests, jellyfish blooms and disruption to fisheries are just some of climate change’s impacts on the ocean.  Story here.

Oceans that are warming due to climate change yield fewer fish

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Science News A Wikimedia photo. Some areas have seen up to a 35 percent decline in how many fish can be harvested sustainably.   Story here.

Researchers say Canada’s race to conserve marine biodiversity may backfire

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Laurier Canada’s race to meet biodiversity conservation targets could jeopardize the very goal it is trying to achieve.  More here. Aerial view of the Bunsby marine park. West coast of Vancouver Island. Bc. Photo by  Kiwican

Commercial fishing banned across much of the Arctic

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The Guardian International agreement will protect vast areas of sea that have opened up as the ice melts . Story here.  Fishboats in Norway. Photo by Kristian Magnus Kenstad.

We must keep single-use plastics out of our oceans.

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Greenpeace -   More here. Poster by Jessica - NOAA marine debris program.

Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ is the largest ever measured

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National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration This NASA image shows the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The dead zone is now approaching an area the size of Manitoba's Lake Winnipeg!  More here.

Effective fisheries management can reduce extinction risk of marine fish stocks

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Science News - University of British Columbia Fishing boats docked in Canada's Bay of Fundy.    Dillon Kereluk from White Rock, Canada. Effective fisheries management plans, coupled with actions to limit greenhouse gas emissions, both separately, but especially in tandem, would have an immediate effect on the number of marine species that face extinction. More here.

A call for seagrass protection

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Science Magazine By Heather Dine. - NOAA Photo Library Seagrass meadows - one of the most widespread coastal habitats on Earth - are in decline. Human coastal development and poor water quality are threatening the meadows - home to a wide array of marine plants and animals. More here.

These Underwater Mountains are Huge & Hugely Important. A video from Oceana Canada.