California Blue Whales Rebound From Whaling
The number of California blue whales has rebounded to near historical levels, according to new research by the University of Washington. This is the only population of blue whales known to have recovered from whaling, blue whales as a species having been hunted nearly to extinction.
Scientists Apply Biomedical Technique to Reveal Changes Within the Body of the Ocean
For decades, medical researchers have sought new methods to diagnose how different types of cells and systems in the body are functioning. Now scientists have adapted an emerging biomedical technique to study the vast body of the ocean.
Japan Seeks to Resume Antarctic Whaling Next Year
Japan is seeking international support for its plans to hunt minke whales in the Antarctic Ocean next year by scaling down the whaling research program the U.N. top court rejected earlier this year.
Stopping Climate Change Is About People, About Survival
World leaders have not sufficiently addressed climate issues, United Nations Special Envoy for Climate Change Mary Robinson said, highlighting the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building climate resilient communities.
California Plastic Bag Ban Would Be First Of Its Kind In The Nation
The California state legislature enacted a ban on plastic grocery bags on Friday near the end of its two-year session, a measure that if signed into law would become the first of its kind in America.
Giant Garbage Patches Help Redefine Ocean Boundaries
Researchers have created a new model that could help determine what area of the world is most responsible for each ocean garbage patch of floating debris; a difficult task for a system as complex and massive as the ocean.
Monterey Bay, California: Beach Sand Mining from a National Marine Sanctuary; By Gary Griggs
The 30-mile long, continuous sandy shoreline around Monterey Bay is the most visited stretch of shoreline on the central coast. Yet, it holds the dubious distinction of being the only active beach sand mining operation along the entire United States shoreline. To make matters even worse, it all takes place along the shoreline of a protected National Marine Sanctuary. Something is seriously wrong with this picture.
Sydney Harbour’s Plastic Pollution At Alarming Levels, Scientists Find
Researchers have found alarming level of plastic pollution in Sydney harbour, with fibres from clothing and toiletries causing a widespread impact upon the marine ecosystem.
NOAA Lists 20 Coral Species As Threatened
NOAA announced it will afford Endangered Species Act protections to 20 coral species. All 20 species will be listed as threatened. Fifteen of the newly listed species occur in the Indo-Pacific and five in the Caribbean.