Ocean Stories

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.…

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.…

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! …

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
 …

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! …

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…

The Secret Driftnet Fishery for Swordfish and Shark Off Our Coast
by Todd Steiner, Executive Director, Turtle Island Restoration Network
Few Americans realize that a deadly driftnet fishery targeting swordfish and shark operates off the California coast with fatal consequences for ocean wildlife.
Driftnets, which have been described as “curtains of death,” were banned on the high seas by the United Nations in the 1994.  On the West Coast, Oregon and Washington have banned this deadly and unsustainable fishery, but unbeknownst to the public, they are still legal in California–plying our waters out of sight and out of mind.
In a new expose entitled, “CALIFORNIA’S DEADLIEST CATCH: The Drift Gillnet Fishery for Swordfish and Shark,” author Teri Shore lays out the impact this fishery is having on the discarded catch of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and scores of fish species and outlines a plan of action to end this destructive fishery.…

Next month, Mission Blue Founder Dr. Sylvia Earle will be taking part in the Bahamian National Natural History Conference in Nassau. But did you know that although the Bahamas has been a model area for protection, part of the Bahamian Reefs Hope Spot remains unprotected?
Recently Living Jewels, a grassroots organization from San Salvador reached out to us about their work over almost a decade to establish a national land and sea park through the Bahamian National Trust.  A final version of the proposal is in preparation and they are optimistic that it will get final approval soon. 
On the island of San Salvador, the farthest island in the Bahamas from the US, the youth are deepening their connection to nature by experiencing in their own blue backyard, which is abundant with coral reefs and mangroves. …

Kids from California to Wisconsin to Cairo joined Sylvia Earle LIVE on Valentine’s Day through the cool tech of a Google+ Hangout! And speaking of amazing technology, follow Sylvia for a tour of the submersible factory she founded, DOER (Deep Ocean Exploration & Research.) You won’t believe what these subs can do! 
Take a magic blue carpet ride with Sylvia! Be inspired!…

By Erick Ross Salazar, MarViva
MarViva Foundation and Mission Blue have teamed up to seek protection for the high seas Hope Spot, the Central American Dome (CAD.) The Dome is a biodiverse, nutrient rich area located hundreds of miles off the coast of Central America. Most of it lies in international waters, outside of national jurisdiction.
Here, a fantastic range of organisms emerge from the depths. Phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, cornerstones in the marine food web, proliferate here due to some unique oceanographic features. They in turn attract a rich diversity of marine animals that come to feed, grow and reproduce in the area. Blue whales, leatherback turtles, sardines, anchovies, sharks, manta rays, billfish and tuna are a just a few of the many species that utilize this rich habitat.…