A new study exposes the widespread practice of killing aquatic mammals like dolphins, sea lions, and otters for use as bait in global fisheries. The review highlights that more than 40 species have been utilized as bait since 1970, with over 80% deliberately killed for at least one fishery.
Sea urchin researchers found that understanding local dynamics can make fishing resource management more effective. The study quantified the relationship between uni quality and fishermen's behavior, revealing a predictable pattern that links seasonal reproductive cycles to fishing patterns.
Tiny dinoflagellate fossils discovered in Jurassic rocks of south-western Queensland suggest a short-lived precursor to the Eromanga Sea. The fossils date back 148 million years, providing evidence of rising sea levels and incursions of saltwater inland.
Researchers found that high densities of sea cucumbers maintain stable oxygen conditions in sediment, while removal leads to a 63% decrease. The study highlights the importance of conserving moderate to high densities of sea cucumbers to protect shallow water ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.
Researchers found that the Baltic Sea is experiencing extreme changes, such as warming and oxygen-free zones, which can be used to predict future global ocean changes. The region's unique characteristics make it an ideal model for studying coastal ocean management and sustainable development.
Recent studies suggest that large predators such as alligators, sea otters, and mountain lions are re-colonizing ecosystems they once occupied due to conservation. This challenges the long-held assumption that these species are habitat specialists. As populations recover, these species are adapting to new habitats with surprising ease,...
A team of researchers analyzed effective population size measures to reveal crucial considerations for recovering the southern sea otter population. The findings highlight the importance of accurate estimates to ensure species recovery.
A new study by UNC-Chapel Hill biologists found that loggerhead sea turtles genetically similar to one another nest on beaches with similar magnetic fields. The research implies that turtles can mistakenly nest at different beaches with similar magnetic fields, even if it's geographically far away from their hatching beach.
Researchers created wind-wave maps of East China Sea using satellite altimeter data and atmospheric reanalysis. The study reveals wind-wave climate patterns, including the similarity among multiple data sources, but also highlights limitations in describing marginal-sea wind-waves.
A team of researchers found that changes in sea levels during the Early Triassic period were caused by variations in the Earth's tilt, affecting ocean and groundwater volumes. The study suggests that this natural process may contribute significantly to future sea-level rise.
The Digital Life team has released animated 3D models of loggerhead and green sea turtles, created using photogrammetry and software like Capturing Reality and Blender. The models can be used for educational purposes, scientific research, and conservation efforts, with over hundreds of hours invested in their animation.
Researchers at Monterey Bay Aquarium discovered sea turtles using their flippers to handle prey, a behavior thought to be unlikely in marine tetrapods. This 'exaptation' suggests flippers may have been adapted for novel tasks 70 million years earlier than previously thought.
Researchers detected evidence of a sudden sea-level rise in the northern Aegean Sea around 7,600 years ago, coinciding with a standstill in the Neolithic revolution. This event likely caused flooding of low-lying coastal areas and delayed settlement development.
A shift in western Arctic wind patterns occurred during the winter of 2017, with sea ice movement also changing. This anomaly is possible indicator of a changing climate, with potentially significant impacts on Arctic ecosystems and food webs.
Researchers analyzed sea star populations along the US west coast and found severe declines in southern California and the Channel Islands. Juvenile sea star mortality increased by approximately 90 percent, while ochre sea stars are a keystone species crucial to intertidal ecosystems.
Researchers at Cornell University propose a new broad nomenclature to describe the complex connections between viruses, environment, and wasting diseases among sea stars in the Pacific Northwest. Climate change remains a suspect factor in the disease outbreaks.
Researchers found that sea urchins sculpt medium-grain sandstone rock 37 times quicker than granite, with excavation rates varying greatly by rock type. The study estimated that on medium-grain sandstone reefs, sea urchins might produce almost 200 tonnes of sediment per hectare per year.
New research finds that beluga whales are diving deeper and longer to find food as sea ice loss changes their Arctic habitat. The whales' diving behavior has increased significantly over nearly two decades, with dives lasting up to 3 times a day and depths reaching 64 meters.
A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that delaying global CO2 emission peak by five years between 2020 and 2035 could result in an additional 20 cm of sea-level rise by 2300. The researchers used a combined climate-sea-level model to analyze the impact of delayed mitigation on global sea-level rise.
A new study based on 25 years of NASA and European satellite data reveals that global sea level rise is accelerating, driven mainly by increased melting in Greenland and Antarctica. The rate of ocean rise could double the projected sea level rise by 2100 if current trends continue.
A research team detected an acceleration in global sea level rise over the last 25 years, with a potential doubling of total sea level rise by 2100. The rate is increasing by about 0.08 mm/year every year, driven mainly by accelerated melting in Greenland and Antarctica.
A Florida Atlantic University study found that 70% of loggerhead sea turtle nests and hatchlings had different fathers, with no repeat males detected. This research provides insight into the reproductive behavior of male sea turtles and suggests a breeding sex ratio of approximately 1 female for every 2.5 males.
Researchers used novel techniques to analyze sea turtle bones and uncover previously unknown information about their habitats, including their age when they move into nearshore habitats and how they use offshore waters for feeding. The study provides strong applications to the conservation and management of this endangered population.
Scientists discovered fossil evidence of deep-sea marine life burrowing up to eight meters below the seabed, which is four times deeper than previously thought. The findings suggest that deep-sea burrowing marine life may be more abundant than previously considered.
Researchers use large ensemble of model simulations to examine lead-lag relationships between Arctic sea ice and atmospheric circulation. They find evidence that sea ice change is both a driver of and a response to atmospheric variability.
A Rutgers-led study finds that scientists won't be able to determine the exact sea-level rise scenario until the 2060s due to Antarctic instability. Meeting the Paris Agreement goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions could make lower sea-level rise outcomes more likely.
Seemingly identical sea snake populations revealed to be genetically distinct, emphasizing the importance of preserving biodiversity. Targeted research on habitat and diet requirements is crucial to understanding the sudden disappearance of sea snakes from Australian reefs.
A recent study investigates the relationship between Arctic sea ice loss and the Eurasian winter cooling trend. The research suggests that changes in sea surface temperature, not sea ice concentration, are responsible for the observed warming trend.
A new study explores how Arctic sea-ice decline affects Eurasian circulation, revealing a link between the two. The research uses SVD analysis to quantify model uncertainties and find that a larger pan-Arctic sea-ice decline weakens the polar cell, leading to anomalous sinking motion in Eurasia.
Researchers tracked 19 loggerhead turtles in the South Atlantic Ocean, discovering they don't passively ride currents but instead swim to remain offshore. The study sheds light on the 'lost years' of sea turtle life cycle, where young turtles survive several years at sea before returning closer to shore as large juveniles.
Researchers used video observations to reveal that deep-sea jellies are key predators and play a crucial role in forming the principal forage base for many commercially-important meso-predators and apex species. The study also found that gelatinous animals have complex food habits spanning the entire food web.
Researchers from Princeton University and NOAA found that the Arabian Sea's extreme cyclone activity increased significantly since 2014, with a 27% rise in 2015. The study validated climate model projections by showing that global warming and fossil fuel burning led to the formation of these storms.
The lack of sea snakes in the Atlantic Ocean is attributed to geographical barriers such as the Isthmus of Panama blocking access to the Caribbean. Additionally, cold water temperatures and freshwater scarcity in the Eastern Hemisphere hinder their survival.
A new study analyzing the jaws of the extinct otter Siamogale melilutra found that its jaw bones were six times sturdier than expected, indicating a strong bite force. The discovery suggests that the massive otter may have been a top predator in its time, crushing shells and bones of birds and small mammals.
Analyses of satellite sensing data show Red Sea's maximum surface temperatures increasing at a rate of 0.17°C per decade, four times faster than the global ocean warming rate. This rapid warming poses a threat to marine biodiversity in the region.
Researchers discovered that adult sea turtles like Eleanor can survive and even thrive during tropical storms. The study found that sea turtles like Eleanor drastically change behavior when the storm strikes, using more energy than usual but still surviving without injury.
A team of climate scientists found that sea-level rise, not stronger storm surges, will cause future NYC flooding. Rising sea levels could lead to a 50-foot flood height by 2300, with smaller changes in coastal risk if sea-level rise is prevented.
Scientists discovered fossil evidence of punctuated bursts of sea-level rise in coral reefs offshore Texas, which poses a significant risk to coastal communities. The findings suggest that sea level may not rise steadily but rather in sharp bursts, with potential implications for future study and preparation for inundation.
Researchers have retrieved original pigment, beta-keratin and muscle proteins from a 54-million-year-old sea turtle hatchling, providing direct evidence that a pigmentation-based survival trait evolved in ancient sea turtles. The study confirms the preservation of multiple proteins over millions of years.
The sea cucumber genome provides new insights into its ability to regenerate damaged body parts, including viscera, which can be regrown within weeks. The study identified specific genes that may contribute to this ability, offering potential avenues for regenerative medicine research.
A new study reveals that commercial fishing is a major cause of New Zealand sea lion decline, contrary to government assumptions. The research found that sea-lion exclusion devices have not effectively reduced bycatch, and instead may be hiding deaths or causing injury.
Researchers used satellite imagery and simulations to explore the role of currents in the Red Sea biosphere, finding significant variability in eddies that facilitate transport and dispersal. The study's findings suggest water circulation patterns play a significant role in determining the distribution of Red Sea clownfish populations.
Recent findings suggest that rapid sea-level rise of about 20m in less than 500 years occurred in the last deglaciation, causing the drowning of fossil coral reefs in Hawaii. The study provides new evidence of a meltwater pulse, associated with catastrophic ice-sheet collapse and the Earth's warming after the last ice age.
Researchers aim to unravel the underlying physical mechanisms driving SST warming in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Despite various studies, a consensus on the dominant mechanism remains elusive due to limited data and conflicting explanations.
A new study reveals a majority of sea turtle populations are increasing, thanks to conservation efforts since the 1950s. Despite six species still listed as endangered, population trends show significant upward growth in most regions.
A new study from the European Commission Joint Research Centre found no significant long-term trend in the Black Sea's average surface water temperature. However, there was a positive trend at 50 meters below the surface, suggesting warming of deeper waters.
Researchers detect tell-tale differences in sea level rise around the world due to changes in continental water and ice sheet mass. The study uses time-variable gravity data from NASA's Gravity Recovery & Climate Experiment satellites.
Quantitative analysis reveals that dark ocean surfaces absorb more light than white ice surfaces, leading to accelerated sea ice melt. The study found a significant correlation between solar heat input and ice melt volume, suggesting that heat input is a major causative factor of melting ice.
A dramatic drop in Antarctic sea ice in 2016 was caused by a unique combination of factors, including a strong El Niño event and unusually weak winds around the South Pole. The area of sea ice decreased to its lowest level in 40 years, with ocean temperatures also being unusually warm.
Research shows smooth-coated otters adopt a 'copy when young' strategy to solve puzzles, with young otters learning faster than parents. This social learning behavior may help improve reintroduction programs for endangered otter species.
Researchers developed a new statistical method to calculate sea level rise, showing it's not only increasing but also accelerating. The study found the rate of sea level change on the East Coast is the highest in 2,000 years, with areas like New York City facing rapid increases.
Researchers discovered that sea spiders use gut peristalsis to move blood and oxygen throughout their bodies, not hearts. This unique system allows for efficient gas transport and highlights the diversity of solutions in animal physiology.
Researchers from Stockholm University found that the inorganic component of sea spray particles takes up less water, resulting in smaller particle size and reduced sunlight reflection. This discovery challenges existing climate models and highlights the importance of understanding sea spray's role in the atmosphere.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that pups born during warm years had lower antibody levels and were unable to respond to an immune challenge. High sea surface temperatures can lead to prey declines, forcing sea lions to extend foraging trips and eat lower-value prey.
New research aims to understand falling sea levels in the Dead Sea, with potential impacts on the environment and local economies. The study will use historical and present-day data, along with numerical models to predict future levels and assess government responses.
A new Swansea University study suggests that rising temperatures associated with climate change could drive sea turtle populations to extinction. The research found that warmer incubation temperatures can lead to higher numbers of female sea turtles and increased nest failure, threatening the long-term survival of certain species.
Fossil evidence reveals a previously unknown east-west migration route for some mammals across North America, challenging previous hypotheses. Researchers propose that sea otters and potentially other animals traversed the northern edge of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt to reach California from Florida.
A study found that most female Steller sea lions breed at the rookery where they were born, with fewer than 3% switching locations. When they did move, they preferred nearby rookeries with higher population densities.
Researchers identified dissolved barium as a tracer to quantify the extent of Kuroshio's impact on the East China Sea. The study found that Kuroshio subsurface water forms an intrusion current by climbing northwest along the bottom, with nearly 65% of its volume entering the Qiantang Estuary.
A research team has assembled the first complete genome of a deep-sea mussel, providing new insights into its molecular mechanisms of adaptation. The study found that modern deep-sea mussels evolved from shallow-water mussels approximately 110 million years ago.