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Yearly Archives: 2014
Leaders Gather at the Economist’s World Ocean Summit

In late February, representatives from government, business, academia, think tanks, and NGOs converged on a cliffside hotel overlooking Half Moon Bay outside of San Francisco. The location was appropriate as it looked out on a picturesque corner of what they’d come to discuss: the vast oceans that wrap over 70% of the planet. This was The Economist’s annual World Ocean Summit, hosted in association with National Geographic. With 250 attendees and backed by a strong call to action in The Economist’s February issue, the event sought to gather the most influential marine thinkers and policymakers in the world and discuss what can be done to begin healing and sustaining Earth’s most crucial ecosystem. As John Kerry neatly stated in his opening remarks, the challenge is no longer diagnosis, but action.…

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At 500 Meters Deep, An Explosion of Color

When Columbus neared the coast of the New World, he thought he saw lights of civilization twinkling on the shores. What he really saw, though, was likely bioluminescence from thriving marine life. The creation of light by living creatures, known to scientists as bioluminescence, is an evolved trait that benefits the organism by offering camouflage, mimicry, sexual attraction and more. This lush, lazy light is what we see in fields full of fireflies at night, or on the jellyfish as they bob in the night sea.
The shark you see above, however, is not bioluminescent. The gentleman below can explain.
Enter David Gruber, Associate Professor Biology and Environmental Science at Baruch College. He recently made some exciting discoveries involving another interaction of light and life: biofluorescence.…

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Mission Blue Galapagos Expedition Leads to Historic Protection Push for Sargasso Sea Hope Spot

(Dr. Sylvia Earle on the Mission Blue Galapagos Expedition)
Mission Blue’s Galapagos Expedition made serious ripples in the ocean community and inspired a wellspring of action and initiative for ocean conservation. One such result was ocean appassionato David Shaw taking interest in the Sargasso Sea — the “floating rainforest of ocean” as Dr. Earle calls it — which led to the creation of the Sargasso Sea Alliance, a special organization that has worked tirelessly for years to better protect the marine area. This week, their efforts have paid off in spades.
On Tuesday, countries and territories from around the Sargasso Sea Hope Spot and Europe met in Bermuda to reaffirm their support for an initiative, led by the Government of Bermuda, to collaborate for the conservation of the Sargasso Sea ecosystem.…

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Dr. Earle and HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco receive Fellowships in London

The Marine Biological Association, founded in 1884, runs a leading research laboratory in Plymouth and is one of the world’s oldest and most respected institutions devoted to the advancement of marine biology and the study of the ocean. In recognition of its long and eminent history and its status in the field of marine biology, the MBA was awarded a Royal Charter in 2013.
On March 11, the MBA celebrated its Royal Charter with a reception in London at Fishmongers Hall. Scientists, policy-makers and industry figures gathered to celebrate the oceans, and the contribution that marine biology makes to a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead for the United Kingdom.
Prince Phillip, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, patron of the Marine Biological Association, was among the guests at the official celebration marking the award of a Royal Charter to the Plymouth-based organization.…

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Sylvia Celebrates 10 Years with the Rutgers Institute of Marine Science

Dr. Sylvia Earle recently visited the Rutgers Institute of Marine Science in New Brunswick, New Jersey and gave a keynote speech for their 10th Anniversary. She’s been a partner of this leading organization since her attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony 10 years ago. And what an amazing 10 years its been at the Institute!
Just what does the Rutgers Institute of Marine Science do? Check out the video below for the lowdown.

The Institute grabbed headlines last year for their innovative ocean drone program which is mapping and recording different aspects of the marine environment such as temperature, currents and even migrating fish. This program is part of the ambitious Gliderpalooza Program, a collaborative ocean survey program coordinated between 16 American and Canadian government bodies and research teams.…

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Bahamas urged to become global beacon for protection of marine environment

NASSAU, Bahamas — The Bahamas is perfectly placed to lead the way in saving the world’s oceans, a world renowned marine scientist told a gathering of scientists and conservationists on Monday night.
Speaking at the opening of the second annual Bahamas Natural History conference, American oceanographer, explorer and author Dr. Sylvia Earle said the history of marine conservation efforts and the responsive attitude of successive governments mean that no country is now better placed to set an example for the rest of the world.
“The Bahamas can be the leader in showing the way to save the oceans, and by extension, our way of life,” she said. “You can do this, you can be the beacon for the world.”
What’s more, according to Dr.…

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Sylvia Earle at the National Aquarium: Hope Spots – A Plan for the Ocean

Last week, Mission Blue founder, Dr. Sylvia A. Earle launched the National Aquarium’s spring Marjorie Lynn Bank Lecture Series with her talk, “Hope: A Plan for Our Ocean.” 
Legendary oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer, Dr. Sylvia Earle has pioneered the concept of embracing ocean “hope spots” around the world, aquatic treasures like America’s own National Marine Sanctuaries. Hope spots are special places that are critical to the health of the ocean, Earth’s blue heart.
Dr. Earle shared her experiences exploring inner-space to rally popular support for Hope Spots around the world. Some of these Hope Spots are already protected, while for others, it is imperative that they become protected.  
And now, Dr. Earle’s lecture in it’s entirety, with entertaining introductions from John Racanelli, CEO of the National Aquarium, Jason Patlis, CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and Mission Blue’s Executive Director, Jim Toomey! …

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Photo of the Day ~ High Five for Sharks

Possibly our favorite shark photo – Eli Martinez receives a stylin’ High Five from a smiling lemon shark named Taxi off the Bahamas. We love it because it shows what many shark/human interactions are really like. That said, sharks are individuals, and you’ll want to exercise reason and caution dealing with any wild animal.
To keep things in perspective, you are more likely to be killed by a vending machine than by a shark – and even more shocking, by your family toaster!
Photo: Paul Spielvogel
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Wisdom’s Legacy Survives!

We have been curious about the welfare of Wisdom’s 2012 chick. We know that she has returned to Midway, but what of her chick?  This just in from Pete Leary, the USFWS Refuge biologist on Midway:
“We didn’t get Wisdom’s chick banded in 2012 because it kicked off its temporary band, and then we could never be sure of which chick it was.  The chicks were at the wandering stage and there weren’t any that consistently went to that nesting spot.  However, none of the chicks died in that little area, so we are pretty confident that it fledged.  Look on the bright side, now there’s a hopeful possibility that any Laysan albatross you see could be Wisdom’s chick.”
And, on another but related note, look who’s feeding their 2013 chick on Midway! …

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Photo of the Day ~ Great Hammerhead

Up close and personal in the Bahamas with a Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran.) Many theories have been put forward about the function of the hammer – amongst these, the most popular are that it helps the great hammerhead to scan larger areas of the ocean floor for food, and that it maximises the area of the sensory organs (known as the ampullae of Lorenzini) that can detect chemical, physical and thermal changes in the water, as well as electric fields.
Photo: (c) Bill Eastwick…

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