Pictures: Billions of Blue Velella Velellas Wash Up on California Beaches
In recent weeks, about a billion jellyfish-like “purple sailors” have washed up on West coast beaches of the United States. The animals—known as “by-the-wind sailors” or Velella velella—founder on the shore and pile up like a carpet of deflated blue and purple balloons.
Climate Change Hits Sea Lions in the Santa Barbara Channel
According to the most recent count prepared by NOAA, 2,460 stranded sea lions have been scooped off California beaches during the first three and a half months of 2015. Santa Barbara beaches have been hit especially hard. Given that California’s two main sea lion rookeries are located just off Santa Barbara’s coast — San Miguel and San Nicolas islands — that’s not surprising.
A Silent Victory For Marine Mammals
A federal judge stands up to the noisy navy for the sake of marine mammals.
Expanding Focus, Boundaries of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary
NOAA has announced its proposed rule for expanding the size and the focus of Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary to include multiple marine species. Members of the public are invited to submit comments to the agency on the proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement now through June 19.
What Causes Cetaceans to Strand Along the Coast?
There are many reason why marine mammals beach themselves, and the Marine Mammal Center recommends these steps if you come across a beached seal, whale or dolphin.
Successful Conservation Efforts along Florida, Pacific Coasts Recognized in Revised ESA Listing of Green Sea Turtle
NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to reclassify the green sea turtle under the Endangered Species Act, and list turtles originating from two breeding populations currently considered endangered as threatened due to improvements in their populations.
Conservationist Murders Threaten Costa Rica’s Eco-Friendly Reputation
The brutal murder of Jairo Mora, who was trying to protect endangered turtle eggs, was the latest in a string of crimes against environmentalists in the country. Since 1989, the murder of 10 environmentalists have gone unsolved. Environmental and human rights groups are calling for reforms to address the dangers these environmental protectors face.
Starving Sea Lion Pups Stranding on California Coast
More than 1,100 starving and sickly sea lion pups have washed up along California’s coastline this winter. Rescue centers are working round the clock to try and rehabilitate hundreds of them to release them back into the wild.
Is the Blue Crab’s Natural Range Creeping North?
The recently observed northern migration of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidusthis, a commercially important species, could be yet another sign of climate change.