Fire Blanketed Lahaina in Toxic Debris. Where Can They Put It? – the New York Times
Crews are sending thousands of truckloads of debris to a temporary disposal site (in Olowalu)..The coast of Olowalu is popular with snorkelers and filled with abundant sea life. In 2017, the coral reef offshore became a focal point for protection by the nonprofit Mission Blue, which advocates to protect the ocean. The organization said the reef acts as a sort of nursery to enhance reefs on other islands nearby. It also supports a large population of manta rays. “It’s environmentally precious,” said Tom Gruber, an adviser to Mission Blue. “It’s like Yosemite. You wouldn’t put a toxic waste dump upstream of Yosemite…”
African Penguins Have Almost Been Wiped Out by Overfishing and Climate Change. Researchers Want to Orchestrate a Comeback – Inside Climate News
A hatchery in Cape Town breeds birds for release in a newly established sanctuary for penguins 146 miles east, where a few early signs suggest the penguins may have found a new home..
Cape Cod needs to clean up its water. The solutions could cost billions – WBUR Boston | Scientific American
It’s a critical moment for Cape Cod. The Cape has more than 550 miles of coastline, at least 890 freshwater ponds and 53 small saltwater bays bordering the ocean. That water is the Cape’s raison d’être: residents and visitors use it for swimming, boating and fishing, and it forms the backbone of the region’s $1.4 billion tourism industry. Now Cape Cod communities are scrambling for solutions before their ecosystems, economies and property values collapse….
Popular Maui beaches remain open despite no official word they’re safe – SFGATE
Nearly six months after the Lahaina wildfire on Maui, questions remain about how ongoing contamination from the burn zone may be affecting the shoreline of West Maui — even as locals, and an increasing number of tourists, continue to swim and surf at beaches…
The Marshall Islands Aren’t Giving In to Sea Level Rise – Hakai Magazine
The precariously placed island nation has put together a comprehensive—if expensive—plan to survive sea level rise…
Can the ‘sand motor’ save West Africa’s eroding coast? – Grist Magazine
As sea levels rise, engineers are using massive Dutch-inspired sand sculptures to protect shorefront settlements…It’s called the “sand motor,” and it comes from the Netherlands, a low-lying nation with centuries of experience in coastal protection…
Ocean Wonders: A Symphony of Smells – Hakai Institute
“Take a whiff of the sea breeze. What happens to that scent when you sink below the surface? It turns out the sense of smell is crucial to those living in the deep. Hold your breath—but not your nose—as we explore olfaction in the ocean…”
10 Unique Beaches From Around the World – Atlas Obscura
An otherworldly landscape of twisted trees in Georgia. A marshland of bright red grass on China’s Red Beach. A Wisconsin beach so beautiful, that taking rocks from it is illegal. An island of pink shores and Komodo dragons in Indonesia. If you’re looking for a unique beach, these ten places each offer something unexpected…
How Terrestrial Turds Lead to Marine Maladies – Hakai Magazine
Diseases from land animals are killing marine mammals at an alarming rate. Can we stem the flow of feces?