Marine aquaculture has the potential to meet global food demand as freshwater resources are limited and terrestrial agriculture struggles. Expanding marine aquaculture operations using low-on-the-food-chain organisms like plankton and algae can achieve sustainable growth.
The report highlights concerns such as ocean warming, acidification, changes in current strengths, productivity, and species distribution. It offers adaptation responses to inform policymakers, scientists, and the community.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography are developing autonomous underwater explorers, or AUEs, to trace small-scale ocean processes vital to tiny marine inhabitants. The miniature robots will provide new information about marine protected areas, harmful algal blooms, and oil spills.
Researchers found that marine reserves replenish harvested species outside the reserve, producing larger fish and more plentiful populations. The establishment of reserves also supports larval production, benefiting fished populations.
The ESA workshop explored the potential of space-based services to address Arctic challenges such as climate change, ocean traffic management, and environmental protection. Space assets can improve search and rescue operations, monitor sea ice and ocean changes, and facilitate sustainable development in the region.
A joint US-Norwegian study, known as MENU, compared marine ecosystems in the North Atlantic and North Pacific to identify factors supporting fisheries production. The researchers found underlying patterns that were not apparent in single-ecosystem studies.
Marine renewable energy devices can boost local biodiversity and benefit marine environments by attracting marine organisms to man-made structures, creating 'artificial reefs'. However, such devices also pose negative environmental impacts from habitat loss, collision risks, noise, and electromagnetic fields.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will lead a $6.8 million study to examine the environmental impacts of marine and hydrokinetic power. The project will investigate risks to wildlife and habitats, conduct laboratory and field experiments, and predict long-term effects.
NOAA will participate in a private research expedition to study the impact of the USS Monitor wreck on local marine life. The survey will examine species such as fish, crustaceans, and coral, as well as lionfish, which may be harming the site's ecosystem.
Researchers are searching for new enzymes in marine microbes that can convert waste products into desired compounds, increasing efficiency and sustainability. The goal is to develop more efficient and sustainable manufacturing solutions for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.
A new analysis suggests that global fisheries are showing positive signs of recovery, with five out of ten large marine ecosystems studying well. However, 68% of worldwide fisheries still require rebuilding and more stringent regulations are needed to reverse the collapse of vulnerable species.
A study found that invasive Atlantic Coast crabs and snails have devastated oyster reefs in Tomales Bay, California, destroying half of the native Olympia oyster population. The invasion has disrupted trophic cascades, causing a loss of critical habitat for marine biodiversity.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has prohibited commercial krill harvesting in the Exclusive Economic Zone off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. This rule aims to protect the krill's role as a key food source for numerous marine species, including some listed as threatened or endangered.
The Joint Genome Institute will sequence four species of labyrinthulomycetes, shedding light on their ecological role and potential applications. The organisms are single-celled marine decomposers that play a crucial part in the marine carbon cycle.
The NOAA report finds that the sanctuary's marine life and habitats are fair to good overall but face emerging threats like marine debris and ocean acidification. The condition report provides a baseline for monitoring changes in sanctuary resources.
Four University of Miami Marine Biology and Fisheries students have received recognition from the National Science Foundation for their research on coral reefs. Ross Cunning and John Parkinson were awarded fellowships, while Sean Bignami and Kevin V. Brix received Honorable Mentions.
Researchers have successfully measured marine phytoplankton physiology through satellite measurements of fluorescence, providing a reasonably accurate picture of the ocean's health and productivity. This will help evaluate the impact of global warming, climate change, and desertification on oceans.
A team of 13 international scientists is developing management plans for sustainably managing forage fish, critical food sources for marine mammals and seabirds. The task force aims to prevent fishing-induced irreversible impacts on marine ecosystems.
Historians from Census of Marine Life reconstructed ocean life in olden days, revealing past sea life was teeming with over 27,000 southern right whales around New Zealand. The findings are causing authorities to revisit marine baselines and provide a new context for contemporary ocean management.
The NOAA report offers a comprehensive look at the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands' marine life, revealing relatively pristine ecosystems with dominant top predators. This knowledge will aid in managing resources and researching natural coral reef ecosystems.
A study found high concentrations of pollutants in marine mammals' brains, including pesticides like DDTs and PCBs, as well as brominated flame retardants. The results have significant implications for the health of marine mammals, particularly their hearing and cognitive development.
A large study found that eating fatty fish once a week reduces the risk of heart failure in men by 12%, while moderate intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids also has a protective effect. However, no significant benefit was seen with higher intakes of either food group.
Calculations suggest low-oxygen dead zones in the ocean will expand significantly over the next century. Marine animals will need more oxygen to survive as carbon dioxide levels increase, exacerbating the effects of 'dead zones'.
A team of scientists has sequenced the genomes of two tiny marine algae, revealing unexpected genes with functions similar to those found in land plants and bacteria. The findings highlight the complexity of these organisms and their potential role in shaping marine food webs and carbon cycling.
Tokuo Yamamoto, a University of Miami marine acoustics expert, won the 2008 Alan Berman Research Publication Award for his work on velocity dispersion and attenuation in New Jersey Shelf sediments. The award recognizes his research on high frequency acoustic waves interacting with silty-sand marine sediments.
A new study reveals the remarkable ability of marine fish larvae to disperse over long distances, connecting populations across marine protected areas. The research provides critical insights into larval dispersal patterns, which affect population resilience and ecosystem dynamics.
Scientists assess a quarter-century of climate change effects on coral health and find both good and bad news. Reefs in the Indian Ocean are recovering relatively well from bleaching events, while western Atlantic reefs have generally failed to recover due to chronic stressors like diseases and overfishing.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) showcased its technology investments to reduce the weight of Marine Corps equipment by up to 30%. New technologies aim to improve body armor, helmets, vehicles, and communications equipment. ONR's goal is to increase mobility and survivability for Marines.
A recent study published in Science reveals that fish produce a significant fraction of the oceans' calcium carbonate, affecting seawater's pH balance. The researchers estimate three to 15 percent of marine calcium carbonate is produced by fish, which can dissolve rapidly and release into the deep ocean.
A recent study published in Science reveals that three to 15 per cent of the oceans' calcium carbonate comes from fish intestines. This discovery could help solve a mystery of rapid ocean acidification due to global CO2 emissions.
The Voices from the Fisheries project, led by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, documents the human experience with the nation's coastal environments and living marine resources. The archive features oral histories from recreational and commercial fishermen, as well as communities and families that rely on them.
The Natural Capital Project has received a $1.97 million grant to develop Marine InVEST, a software program for evaluating the economic benefits of temperate marine ecosystems. The tool will help policymakers balance competing interests and make informed decisions about ocean management.
The European Science Foundation's EUROCORES programme enhances European leadership in international marine coring expeditions. The project investigates ocean dynamics, sediment fluxes, and hydrothermal processes to reconstruct sea-level changes and environmental shifts.
The First World Conference on Marine Biodiversity has reported a rapid northern migration of invasive marine species, spreading at 50 km per decade. This is significantly faster than terrestrial plants and may be due to the rapid dispersion of macroalgae propagules in the ocean.
The Census of Marine Life has made significant progress towards its goal, with new discoveries including Antarctic ancestry of many octopus species and behemoth bacteria. The report details major advances in technology, knowledge organization, and measurement of human impact on ocean life.
Researchers will catalog and preserve diverse mollusk species in the Philippines, aiming to discover new products for central nervous system disorders, cancer, and antimicrobial drugs. The project also seeks to develop cellulosic biofuels production using enzymes from shipworms.
A $4 million NIH-funded project led by OHSU aims to discover biologically active molecules from bacteria associated with marine mollusks in the Philippines. The project will catalog and preserve over 10,000 mollusk species, targeting potential central nervous system, cancer, and antimicrobial drugs.
Researchers solved part of the mystery of where marine organisms recovered after the Permian-Triassic extinction event. The shorelines of ancient Alberta and British Columbia provided a refuge for these organisms, indicating locally well-oxygenated conditions in an ocean otherwise characterized by widespread anoxia.
The Marine Conservation Alliance will document its work on halibut and salmon excluder devices for trawl nets, as well as its marine debris cleanup efforts, at the American Fisheries Society Meeting in Ottawa. The MCA Foundation's cleanup work removed over 175 metric tons of plastic debris from Alaska shorelines last year.
A study by Swedish researchers found that acidification reduces sea urchin fertility by 25%, affecting larval development and population growth. The findings highlight the devastating impact of ocean acidification on marine animal life, with far-reaching consequences for commercially and ecologically important species.
Researchers have discovered a new reef structure off Brazil's coast that harbors an abundance of fish and unique species found only in Brazil. The newly mapped reef is more abundant in marine life than previously known reefs, posing conservation challenges due to over-fishing, coastal development, and climate change.
A symposium in the Biological Bulletin highlights the powerful advantages of using gene catalogs to infer biological function in marine animals, including the sea urchin and tubeworm. By comparing their genomes with those of other organisms, researchers can gain new clues about how physiological systems evolved.
A new study reveals that no-take marine reserves can lead to rapid comebacks of exploited fish species, with coral trout populations increasing by up to 68% in just two years. The findings provide an encouraging message for biodiversity protection and have positive implications for tourism.
A new analysis suggests that compensatory mitigation of fisheries bycatch could do more harm than good, and is unlikely to succeed in reducing impacts on threatened species. The researchers found that bycatch affects a wide range of nontarget species, making it difficult to implement effective mitigation strategies.
A new study reports finding persistent organic pollutants in deep-sea cephalopods, including octopods and squids. The presence of these chemicals suggests contamination of the deep-ocean food web is occurring, with significant implications for marine life.
Marine ecosystems face significant threats from climate change, including warming temperatures, nutrient supply disruptions, and ocean acidification. The paper calls for increased research funding to better assess these impacts and develop adaptation options.
The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary off North Carolina's coast is generally healthy, with abundant marine life and water quality. However, the wreck of the Civil War ironclad poses risks due to corrosion, strong currents, and discarded fishing gear.
The loss of sea ice due to climate change poses a significant threat to Arctic marine mammals, including polar bears, hooded seals, and narwhals. Conservation measures may help mitigate the effects, but reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial for long-term conservation.
The freshwater herring of Lake Tanganyika have a marine invasion origin dating back 25-50 million years. Their DNA analysis suggests that they colonized the lake during its early formation, leading to their unique diversity.
Researchers are developing a global monitoring network for ocean noise to protect endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale. The project uses 3-D buoys to record sounds from whales, fish, ships, and other sources in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
Researchers found that changes in dissolved organic matter affect coral bacterial communities, potentially leading to disease and reef deterioration. Shifts in microbial populations may be out-competed by problematic bacteria, exacerbated by rising temperatures.
Heather Leslie explains how resilience science can inform conservation efforts, recognizing connections between human communities and marine ecosystems. Her work shows promise in the Chesapeake Bay restoration project, where oyster sanctuaries and eelgrass seeding increase future resilience.
Researchers from Oregon State University find that Pacific Northwest coast low-oxygen events are unprecedented and may be caused by stronger winds due to global warming. Hypoxic conditions have been recurring since 2002, with severe impacts on marine life.
Dr. Rochet will compare the impact of selective and non-selective fishing on marine ecosystems, aiming to pinpoint the least harmful method to reduce wasteful bycatch and promote ecosystem conservation.
Fan Meng, a visionary leader from China, has been awarded the Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation to expand and improve a marine protected area network in southeast China. The fellowship will help safeguard coastal areas from industrial pollution and unsustainable fishing.
The Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation supports innovative three-year projects addressing coral reef health, unsustainable commercial fishing, and marine protected areas. The 2008 recipients aim to protect global ocean environments through groundbreaking techniques, fishery management models, and economic analysis.
Dr. Constable will create an ecosystem-based management plan to safeguard baleen whales and other marine life in the Southern Ocean's rapidly-growing krill fisheries. His project aims to promote environmentally sustainable growth of the industry and address concerns over climate change and overfishing.
Dr. Sumaila will create comprehensive databases on the cost and ecological impact of commercial fishing globally, providing evidence for smarter policymaking concerning fisheries management worldwide. He aims to gather extensive information on social and economic drivers of overfishing and its impact on marine conservation.
Dennis J. McGillicuddy, Jr., a pioneer in physical-biological interactions, is recognized for his groundbreaking studies of plankton and ocean currents. His research has significantly impacted the global carbon cycle and marine ecosystem productivity.
A new research tool, OWNFOR, will enable scientists to study how tiny coral reef fish larvae locate their habitat across vast expanses of water. The system uses a drifting observational device with an infrared camera to observe marine larvae naturally influenced by ocean currents.