anthropogenic

Microplastic, macro problem: Microplastics discovered in fishes from remote coral reefs in the South China Sea

Scientists quantify microplastics in various species of coral reef fishes from the Xisha Islands.

Some ~don’t~ like it hot: Ocean warming is bad for pelagic animals

Global ocean warming is predicted to have negative impacts on ocean animals living in the middle of the food web.

Coastal Management

How will climate change impact harmful algal blooms?

A recent study investigates the link between meteorological conditions and harmful algal blooms.

Biological oceanography

Ocean time series brings new, unexpected insights into ocean carbon export

Analysis of a 30-year ocean time series reveals that carbon export to the deep ocean is maintained despite warming waters

Ocean Acidification

A story of sacrifice in the deep sea

A recent study finds that certain seashells dissolve themselves to preserve their shelled siblings, with implications for Earth’s climate.

Human Health Seafood

The gendered effects of mangrove destruction

Shrimp aquaculture is changing coastal ecosystems as well as the lives and gender norms of those living at the interface.

Restoration

A new way to find and propagate the corals of the future

Scientists have a new tool to identify heat-tolerant corals that can help to restore these endangered ecosystems

Conservation

Deep Sea Mining Could Bring Havoc to the Ocean Floor

A new study finds that deep-sea mining could significantly decrease the biodiversity of the deep sea. It turns out that…

Policy

Holistic management: the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in conservation on the high seas

This Indigenous Peoples' Day, consider the role of indigenous and local communities in marine conservation and policy. International governing bodies…

Conservation

VaquitaCPR: Trying to save the world’s most endangered marine mammal

What do you do when the species you’ve been working to save from extinction is down to fewer than 30…

Ecology

Arctic Unicorns: Understanding the past, present, and future of narwhals and their mysterious tusks

Why do narwhals have tusks that make them look like unicorns? As climate change continues, what is the fate of…

Hazards

Threats to Cetaceans: There’s More than Meets the Eye

Researchers spent seven years specifically studying deceased, stranded cetaceans along the coastline of the Canary Islands in Spain to figure…

Microbiology

A blanket of oil: the role of bacteria in cleaning up after Deepwater Horizon

Nearly one million barrels of oil landed on the seafloor after the Deepwater Horizon spill - a feast if bacteria…

Biology

Sea snakes join the dark side to cope with pollution

Black sea snakes are more common in contaminated sites. Why?

Human impacts

Crude oil cripples sandpiper flights

Maggini, I., L.V. Kennedy, A. Macmillan, K.H. Elliott, K. Dean, and C.G. Guglielmo. 2017. Light oiling of feathers increases flight…

Atmospheric Science Climate Change Human Health Pollution

MARPOL-ling in the Right Direction

Posted by Steven Koch Research article: Zetterdahl, M., Jana Moldanov, J., Xiangyu Pei, X., Pathak, R. K., Demirdjian, B. (2016).…

Behavior Book Review Coastal Management Conservation Coral Ecology Human impacts

Small MPAs: the new all-you-can-eat buffets?

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a popular conservation tool and are in many situations very effective. Unfortunately, as with many…

Conservation Ecology Fisheries Hazards Human impacts Plastic Pollution Sea Turtles

Let’s Ghost Fishing for Halloween!

Ghost fishing is ghastly because it creates underwater graveyards for wildlife. The authors covered here wrote a new review of…

Biology Climate Change

If You Must, Adjust? Polar Bears Leaving Sea Ice in the Arctic

Everyone knows that polar bears have become the poster children for species threatened by climate change. And it’s for good…

Behavior Biology Climate Change Coral Fisheries

Changing with the environment: how resilient are coral reef fish?

Coral reef fish are some of the most sensitive animals to climate change. How will coral reef fish respond to…