fbpixel 2012 - Page 14 of 31 - Mission Blue

Yearly Archives: 2012

The Science Behind the “Insane in the Chromatophores” Video: Mission Blue Talks to the Brains Behind the Viral Squid Video

By Mera McGrew
With nearly a million views in less than a week, a video of a long fin inshore squid (Loligo pealei) changing color to the beat of the 1993 Cypress Hill hit “Insane in the Brain” has gone viral. The video titled “Insane in the Chromatophores,” highlights the ability of squid to neurally control the color of their skin. 

“Insane in the Chromatophores” provides an up-close view of a long fin inshore squid’s dorsal side fin as researchers tested the effects of music on the squid’s pigmented cells, which are scientifically known as chromatophores. Using the cockroach leg protocol, researchers essentially hijacked the neural system that controls coloration in the squid’s skin by stimulating the chromatophore motoneurons with an electrical signal produced by a song.…

Posted in Uncategorized |

Leave a comment

Desktop Diaries: Learn What Sylvia Earle Has on Her Desk

For those of you who missed it, catch this great video of Dr. Sylvia Earle in Science Friday’s Desktop Diaries.
In the video, Dr. Earle, Oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer in Residence, shows viewers around her Oakland, California desk. She introduces her “mentor,” describes the evolution of her own relationship with the ocean, and presents various items that have accompanied her on different deep-sea expeditions.
This video promises to help inspire others to be curious and concerned about our world’s ocean — our planet’s blue heart.…

Posted in Uncategorized |

Leave a comment

Pew Environment Group’s Karen Sack Discusses U.S. Court’s $55M Decision

Last Thursday, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York concluded that three men owe $54,883,550 in restitution to the South African government after illegally harvesting rock lobsters off its coast for years.
The director of International Ocean Conservation for the Pew Environment Group, Karen Sack, explained, “This is the largest ever restitution awarded by a US court under the historic Lacey Act, one of the oldest American conservation laws that protects plants and wildlife by establishing civil and criminal penalties for a wide array of violations, and most notably prohibits trade in wildlife, fish and plants that have been illegally taken, transported or sold.”
A United States magistrate judge in Manhattan made the most recent finding, the case will next go to a Judge at the U.S.…

Posted in Uncategorized |

Leave a comment

Introducing the Blue Ocean Film Festival and Conservation Event

Amber Jackson
The Blue Ocean Film Festival, fondly referred to as BLUE, is a biennial ocean conservation event. Next month, filmmakers, photographers, scientists, and ocean explorers from around the globe will come together for this high-energy, enlightening and entertaining 7-day festival.
Set in the Monterey Bay Peninsula, BLUE showcases outstanding ocean films and award winning marine photography along with science and conservation seminars, international policy discussions and a robust ocean media industry conference.
At the heart of BLUE is the Global Ocean Film Festival, which will showcase over 100 films and ocean photography. The compelling films, exciting program and great camaraderie at BLUE promise to engage and empower public audiences, in Monterey and around the globe.
“More than films, more than a celebration of all things wet, the Blue Ocean Film Festival brings together a potent mix of artists, scientists, conservationists, decision makers, industry leaders, inquisitive teachers, lively kids and more.…

Posted in Uncategorized |

Leave a comment

The Biggest Eyes in the Animal Kingdom

By Mera McGrew
Researchers say that colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) have the largest eyes ever studied in the animal kingdom. Measuring 27cm (11in) in diameter, each eye is roughly the size of a soccer ball. “They are probably the largest eyes that have ever existed,” says Eric Warrant, a professor at the University of Lund in Sweden and an expert on animal vision.
Researchers say these huge eyes help the colossal squid survive and thrive in the depths of the Southern Ocean. Their eyes face forward, allowing them to properly judge distances. At great depths, where there is very little light, their large eyes also help them spot large animals, including predators like sperm whales.
Recently, Mission Blue caught up with Warrant to ask him more about his research and the massive eyes of the colossal squid.…

Posted in Uncategorized |

1 Comment

Mission Blue: Sylvia Earle’s Quest to Save the Ocean

By Kip F. Evans
It was really dark, nearly pitch black, as I made my decent to 1,300 feet. It was hot on the surface, but as I dived deeper the heat quickly dissipated, and condensation started to drip from the thick acrylic dome above my head. As I drifted deeper and deeper into the abyss, I peered through my window and looked down, trying to find some kind of visual reference. At 780 feet I could just make out the shape of a tiny submersible sitting on an enormous, white sandy ledge. The sight was totally unbelievable and a bit intimidating — imagine looking down from a huge skyscraper and seeing a tiny spot of light on the street below.…

Posted in Uncategorized |

1 Comment

5 Questions with Cartoonist Jim Toomey

Jim Toomey, who says two of his favorite things to watch on television as a kid were “Peanuts” and Jacques Cousteau programs, offers up inspiring messages about ocean conservation along with plenty of quirky humor in the comic strip “Sherman’s Lagoon.”
Sherman, a great white shark, shares undersea adventures with his pals including camping in a kelp forest and surprising encounters with ocean trash.  Countering the traditional fear factor around sharks, Sherman is “Homer Simpson with fins,” says Toomey. We called the cartoonist to find out more.
1. When did your idea for an ocean-themed cartoon begin?
I started drawing caricatures of teachers back in 2nd or 3rd grade. I switched from teachers to sea critters after a family trip to the Bahamas when I was 12.…

Posted in Partner Stories |

Leave a comment

60 Ocean Leaders send message to the candidates

The Blue Frontier Campaign has sent the letter below to both presidential candidates, Mitt Romney & Barack Obama – on behalf of the ocean. Signed by 60 prominent ocean leaders, David Helvarg’s letter is eloquent, important, and definitely worth the read.

Call to President Barack Obama & Governor Mitt Romney to Protect the Ocean!

(c) Kip Evans Photography

As citizens involved with our seas we call on and expect the next President of the United States to support our nation’s ocean based economy and assure the sound stewardship of our coasts and ocean.  Our nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone, stretching 200 miles out from our shores, is the largest in the world, a blue frontier more extensive than our continental landmass.  With increased scientific knowledge and understanding of this, our nation’s second great frontier, comes both an opportunity and a responsibility to restore the blue in our red, white and blue.…

Posted in Blue Frontier, David Helvarg, sylvia earle |

5 Comments