Potential of seagrass to combat climate change
Seagrass ecosystems could play a key role in combating climate change, researchers at the University of York have discovered, writes Science Daily. Read the full story here.
Here’s What a Massive 5-Year Study of Ocean Life Reveals
TIME reviews a 5-year study on ocean plankton on the research schooner Tara: Differences in ocean temperature—as opposed to geography or some other environmental factor—seem to chiefly determine which kind of plankton survives, according to the study. Because plankton play an essential role in sustaining life on Earth by propping up the bottom of the food chain, rising temperatures could have grave implications for other sea life, in part …
Redmap May newsletter 2015
This edition reviews Redmap's community observations, including the Top 3 sightings per state. Also, check out the interviews with Redmap members and other marine news! Read the May newsletter.
Top 3 sightings per state and other Redmap data
Australian fishers, divers and beachcombers have shared on Redmap more than 1270 sightings of marine life they considered uncommon to their local seas. More than a quarter of the confirmed sightings were out of their usual home range; and many more were valuable observations of elusive or poorly-documented species. And, divers appeared to be the most enthusiastic reporters to Redmap! Here is a snapshot of Redmap's citizen science data, including …
What the FISH? Catching ‘mainland’ fish in Tasmania
A changing climate and strengthening East Australian Current mean the east coast of Tasmania is a ‘hotspot’, with seas warming almost four times the global average. So it’s no surprise that warmer-water fish are turning up further south than usual. And often to the delight of Tassie fishers!
Warm-blooded fish traps its own heat in the deep
The large and colourful opah has become the first known "warm-blooded" fish, as scientists discovered it can regulate the temperature of its whole body, writes BBC News. Read the full story here.
Indian Ocean storing heat from global warming
The ocean has seen an unprecedented rise in heat content over the past decade due to a transfer of heat from Pacific Ocean- read about this new study in The Guardian.
Some relief from the heat?
El Niño is here and could offer welcome respite to Western Australia's record-breaking high ocean temperatures. Read more from this CSIRO ECOS blog.
Clam digging closures due to acidity in warming waters in the US
An early rise in ocean temperatures and subsequent concerns about increased toxicity caused Washington to close its digging seasons, writes The Oregonian. Read the full story here.
For the first time, scientists tag a loggerhead sea turtle off US West Coast
Science Daily writes: Fifty miles out to sea from San Diego, in the middle of April, under a perfectly clear blue sky, fisheries scientists leaned over the side of a rubber inflatable boat and lowered a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle into the water. That turtle was a trailblazer -- the first of its kind ever released off the West Coast of the United States with a satellite transmitter attached. Read …
